Why Josh Richardson, Doug McDermott Would Fit with Lakers amid NBA Trade Rumors

For months, the Los Angeles Lakers have been a part of trade buzz involving Russell Westbrook. And in most of those rumors, the Lakers are projected to land a star player or two in return.

Maybe Westbrook would get dealt to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Kyrie Irving. Or perhaps Westbrook could end up going to the Indiana Pacers, who would send back Myles Turner and/or Buddy Hield.

Here's a new one: What if Los Angeles sent Westbrook to the San Antonio Spurs in exchange for Josh Richardson and Doug McDermott?

That's a rumored deal that's been featured in some recent buzz. According to LJ Ellis of Spurs Talk, the Lakers have "targeted" a trade for Richardson and McDermott. In that scenario, San Antonio would then buy out Westbrook's contract, making him a free agent, per Ellis.

So, what's the hang-up on this one?

"Talks haven’t gained traction because the Lakers are only willing to relinquish a pair of second-round picks in return for both players," Ellis wrote.

It makes sense that the Lakers wouldn't want to part with a first-round pick to land Richardson and McDermott. If they were going to deal one of those selections, they'd likely want a true star player in return.

In fact, Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium recently reported that Los Angeles is "moving in a direction" in which it will "resist moving first-round picks if the season continues to go down this path." The Lakers also own only two first-rounders for the rest of this decade (2027 and 2029).

But Los Angeles would be wise to continue to pursue Richardson and/or McDermott and try to land at least one of the two in a trade without giving up either of those first-round picks. Maybe that could be done by the Lakers moving a package that includes a solid player or two and some second-round selections, but that isn't clear.

It's no secret that Los Angeles doesn't have enough shooters on its roster in order to have success. That's among the reasons why the Lakers have gotten off to a 2-9 start, which includes an active four-game losing streak.

Richardson shot 41.5 percent from three-point range over 65 games last season, and the 29-year-old wing player is shooting 42.6 percent from beyond the arc in 11 games so far in the 2022-23 campaign. He also averaged double-digit points each of the previous six seasons.

McDermott is a career 41 percent three-point shooter over nine NBA seasons. And the 30-year-old would be another player who would give Los Angeles more efficiency from the perimeter, which it needs.

These are the types of players who the Lakers should be targeting. They need to find the right complementary pieces to LeBron James and Anthony Davis, rather than seeking another big star who may not fit as well in their lineup.

It hasn't worked with the trio of James, Davis and Westbrook, and it doesn't seem like it's going to. Los Angeles has even tried moving Westbrook to the bench, but that still hasn't led to wins.

The Lakers would be a better, more well-rounded team if they replaced Westbrook with Richardson and McDermott. But, again, they shouldn't make that move if the cost is a first-round draft pick.

But if Los Angeles can land either of those two strong shooters (or both) at the right price, they would make the Lakers a much more complete team.