Russell Westbrook has experienced a mini-turnaround over the past week or so.
He has come off the bench over the last five games, and in that span he has played excellent ball, averaging 18.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and 7.2 assists per game while shooting 50% overall and an incredible 45.5% from 3-point range.
Westbrook, who has been a pariah in Lakers land for the past year or so, has even garnered some MVP chants while shooting free throws in the team’s last two games.
But the trade rumors involving him haven’t ended, and there is still a real chance the Lakers will jettison him before the trading deadline.
There seems to be a potential trade with the San Antonio Spurs they’re exploring.
Via Lakers Daily:
“One report indicates that Los Angeles has targeted Josh Richardson and Doug McDermott in a trade that would send Westbrook to the San Antonio Spurs. However, it doesn’t sound like L.A. is willing to part with much draft capital in such a deal, so talks haven’t gained traction.
“‘According to a source, the Los Angeles Lakers have targeted Richardson and McDermott in a trade that would involve Russell Westbrook,’ wrote LJ Ellis of SpursTalk. ‘However, talks haven’t gained traction because the Lakers are only willing to relinquish a pair of second-round picks in return for both players.'”
Richardson would give L.A. a capable 3-and-D wing who can swing between the 2 and 3 positions, while McDermott would slide into its frightfully weak backup 4 slot and give it some much-needed 3-point shooting.
The Lakers likely will not pull the trigger on any trade, if there is a trade to be made, until at least Thanksgiving.
