Russell Westbrook is on his way out of Los Angeles.
The Los Angeles Lakers are finalizing a deal to acquire Timberwolves guards D’Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley and forward Jarred Vanderbilt, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The deal is part of a three-team trade that includes sending Jazz guard Mike Conley Jr. and picks to Minnesota. Utah will acquire Westbrook and a Lakers 2027 first-round pick.
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The Lakers are also sending forward Juan Toscano-Anderson and center Damian Jones to Utah. The Jazz will also send Nickeil Alexander-Walker to the Timberwolves, according to Wojnarowski.
The Jazz will likely reach a buyout with Westbrook once the deal is finalized, according to Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes.
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The deal ends a rocky tenure for Westbrook with the Lakers after arriving in Los Angeles in 2021. On the same day as the 2021 NBA Draft, the Washington Wizards sent the nine-time All-Star to the Lakers for Kyle Kuzma, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Montrezl Harrell and a draft pick. The move was made to complete a Big 3 with LeBron James and Anthony Davis, but the trio never meshed well.
After starting in all 78 games he appeared in the 2021-22 season, Westbrook was relegated to the bench and took a sixth-man role this season. His time with the Lakers ends after playing in 130 games — started in 81 — averaging 17.4 points, 6.9 rebounds and 7.2 assists.
Former Net and 10-year veteran Russell will now be reunited with the franchise that drafted him out of Ohio State. The Lakers selected Russell second overall in the 2015 NBA Draft. He played two seasons in Los Angeles before being sent to Brooklyn in 2017 in exchange for Brook Lopez and the rights to Kuzma.
Russell had a breakout year with the Nets in the 2018-19 season, getting his first All-Star game nod. This season with the Timberwolves, Russell averaged 17.9 points 6.2 assists and 3.1 rebounds. His acquisition will provide much-needed perimeter shooting for the Lakers. Russell is shooting a career-best 39% from deep this season. That is an upgrade from Westbrook’s 29% from the three-point range.
