San Antonio Spurs Receive: G Russell Westbrook, G Kent Bazemore, 2023 Second-Round Pick (via CHI)
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: G Dejounte Murray, G Derrick White, F Al-Farouq Aminu
The Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs come together on the second blockbuster trade involving Russell Westbrook in less than a year. Finding teams that can take on his massive contract are not easy, but the Spurs have the pieces that can get a deal done.
In this deal, Westbrook and Kent Bazemore, who signed with the Lakers on a minimum contract as a free agent, head to San Antonio. They will bring some veteran experience to a team that is rather young in the backcourt and on the wing.
San Antonio would also be receiving a second-round pick from the Lakers via the Chicago Bulls in 2023. That would make four draft picks in total that the Spurs now own via Chicago after the DeMar DeRozan sign-and-trade netted them a first-rounder and two second-rounders.
Heading to Los Angeles is an intriguing package. Dejounte Murray is an electric young guard honing his point guard skills. He could be the team’s point guard of the future and brings an excellent defensive skill set to the table.
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Derrick White had a wild path to get to the NBA but has shown he belongs. Injuries derailed his 2020-21 season but he has a good shooting stroke and some playmaking abilities as well. He would fit in nicely into their backcourt rotation.
Al-Farouq Aminu is used to help match salaries. Aminu fits the bill as a wing player the Lakers are looking to acquire. He would likely be at the end of the bench but does offer some defensive versatility for the team as he can defend on the wing and in the frontcourt.
How are the teams feeling after this swap? Let’s take a look at it from each team’s perspective, starting with the Spurs.
