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Russell Westbrook has been one of the most talked about players in trade rumors all season long. The LA Lakers reportedly discussed deals involving Westbrook with numerous teams, including the Indiana Pacers, San Antonio Spurs, Charlotte Hornets and Utah Jazz.
The Lakers made it clear that they were looking for win-now players that fit alongside stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis in any potential deal. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Lakers have finally found a suitable Westbrook trade.
The veteran point guard has reportedly been shipped to Utah in a three-team deal involving the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Lakers will receive combo guard D'Angelo Russell from the Wolves as well as sharpshooter Malik Beasley and defensive forward Jarred Vanderbilt from the Jazz. Minnesota will receive guards Mike Conley and Nickeil Alexander-Walker from Utah as well as picks.
Meanwhile, Utah will receive Russell Westbrook as well as role players Juan Toscano-Anderson and Damian Jones. They will also get LA’s top-four protected 2027 first-round pick. If the pick is not conveyed in 2027, it will immediately convert into a 2027 second-round pick, according to ESPN's Zach Lowe.
The deal marks the end of a tumultuous two seasons in LA for Russell Westbrook. Westbrook played in 130 total games for the team, averaging 17.4 points, 6.9 rebounds, 7.2 assists and 1.0 steals per game on 43.4% shooting.
However, his awful 3-point shooting (29.7%) and poor decision-making at times (3.7 turnovers per game) limited his effectiveness. It also made him a questionable fit next to LeBron James.
The Lakers, who acquired Westbrook to try and contend for titles, went just 56-74 in the 130 games the veteran played in. The team missed the playoffs last season and sits just 13th in the Western Conference this season with a 25-30 record.
LA will now replace Westbrook with three players who all offer valuable skillsets. Russell and Beasley are expected to provide a shooting boost to the Lakers, who rank 26th in team 3-point percentage at 33.8%. Meanwhile, Vanderbilt should add some defensive versatility to the Lakers’ frontcourt.
Russell is averaging 17.9 points, 6.2 assists and 2.7 3-pointers per game while shooting 46.5% and 39.1% from beyond the arc. He previously played two seasons for LA after being drafted No. 2 by the Lakers in 2015.
Beasley is averaging 13.4 PPG, 3.6 RPG and 3.1 3PG per game while shooting 39.6% and 35.9% from deep.
Vanderbilt is averaging 8.3 PPG, 7.9 RPG and 1.0 SPG on 55.6% shooting.
What’s next for Russell Westbrook?
As for Russell Westbrook’s future, the Utah Jazz are expected to buy him out. Westbrook is in the final season of the five-year maximum contract extension he signed with the OKC Thunder in 2017. He is making $47.1 million this season.
Despite Westbrook not having had much trade value due to his massive contract, he is expected to be in fairly high demand in the buyout market. According to Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes, the Chicago Bulls and LA Clippers are two teams that are interested in the veteran point guard.
Whichever team Westbrook ends up playing for next will mark his fifth team in five years.
Westbrook is averaging 15.9 PPG, 6.2 RPG and 7.5 APG on 41.7% shooting this season.
Guess the Lakers players!
