Russell Westbrook‘s days as a Laker have come to an finish — L.A. simply finalized a commerce to ship the famous person level guard to the Utah Jazz in a three-team take care of the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Lakers are sending Russ and a 2027 first-round decide (1-4 protected) to the Jazz in trade for D’Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley, and Jarred Vanderbilt, in keeping with Shams Charania.
Meanwhile, Utah’s Mike Conley Jr. will be part of Anthony Edwards, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Rudy Gobert in Minnesota … in addition to a second-round decide.
Lakers, Jazz and Timberwolves are finalizing commerce sending D’Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt to Los Angeles, Russell Westbrook and first-round decide to Utah and Mike Conley Jr. and second-round decide compensation to Minnesota, sources inform @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 9, 2023
@ShamsCharania
The Lakers acquired Russ in 2021 in a commerce with the Wizards … which despatched Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to Washington in trade for the 2017 MVP.
Westbrook’s final sport with the Purple and Gold was Tuesday night time in opposition to the Thunder … when LeBron James surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar because the NBA’s all-time main scorer.
Russ’ tenure with the Lakers had its justifiable share of ups and downs — the previous triple-double machine struggled to seek out his function throughout his two years taking part in alongside James and Anthony Davis.
First-year head coach Darvin Ham determined to deliver Westbrook off the bench three video games into this season … a task he is flourished in, averaging 15.9 factors per sport to accompany 7.5 assists per sport.
Westbrook has a respectable case to win the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year Award, however the Lakers are opting to maneuver in a distinct course … regardless of his regular manufacturing with the staff’s second unit.
There are stories Westbrook’s arrival in Utah will finish in a buy-out … which can enable him to affix a staff elsewhere.
Russ — who picked up the $47.1 million on his contract earlier than the season began — has performed for the Thunder, Rockets, Wizards, and Lakers in his profession … and is ready to be an unrestricted free agent on the finish of this season.