As of Wednesday evening, the Lakers were preparing to swap one Russell for another in a bid to save their season.
This time, they might have a stronger grasp of what they’re getting into.
The franchise is poised to bring in a package of players headlined by D’Angelo Russell, the 26-year-old guard they selected No. 2 overall in the 2015 NBA Draft, in a trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves, as first reported by ESPN and confirmed to Southern California News Group. The Lakers are also expected to add guard Malik Beasley and forward Jarred Vanderbilt, a shooter and a rebounder respectively from the Utah Jazz in the three-team deal. From the Lakers’ perspective, it adds shooting and length to a roster that has been lacking both of those things for so much of the season.
In return, the Lakers will give up their 2027 first-round draft pick, protected if it falls within the first four spots, but also move on from Russell Westbrook – the 34-year-old former MVP who never found a fit on the court alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis. ESPN also reported that Juan Toscano-Anderson and Damian Jones, two players who had little traction in the Lakers’ rotation, were sent to the Jazz as part of the deal. The full trade also has veteran point guard Mike Conley and Nickeil Alexander-Walker going from Utah to Minnesota along with second-round picks.
A person involved in the deal told Southern California News Group that Westbrook, who has a thorny past with the Utah market, will likely be waived instead of joining the roster, potentially injecting him into the buyout market. According to Bleacher Report, the Chicago Bulls and the Clippers would have some interest in Westbrook once he is a free agent.
The Lakers hope that the deal resets their locker room, recently strained by rumors that they sought a deal with mercurial guard Kyrie Irving, for a run at a Western Conference playoff spot. Since starting the season 2-10, the Lakers have struggled to vault even into…
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