The three-team trade that is sending guard Russell Westbrook from the Lakers to the Jazz and guard D’Angelo Russell to the Lakers is now official, the Timberwolves announced in a press release.
In addition to Russell, the Lakers will receive shooting guard Malik Beasley and power forward Jarred Vanderbilt from the Jazz, and send a 2027 first-round pick back to Utah.
The Timberwolves are receiving point guard Mike Conley and guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker and the less favorable of the Wizards’ and Grizzlies’ second-round picks in 2024 (from the Lakers) and Utah’s second-round picks in 2025 and 2026.
The Jazz also acquired guard/forward Juan Toscano-Anderson and center Damian Jones from the Lakers.
To make room for the new players, the Timberwolves are waiving guard Bryn Forbes.
This was just one of several deals made by the Lakers ahead of Thursday’s trade deadline, with center Thomas Bryant being sent to the Nuggets (full post) and guard Patrick Beverley going to the Magic (full post).
Westbrook is expected to agree to a contract buyout with the Jazz, that will immediately make him a free agent (48 hours after clearing waivers). Per Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report/TNT, the Bulls and Clippers would be interested in Westbrook in the event of a buyout with the Jazz.
Westbrook, 34, is averaging 15.9 points in 52 games, coming off the bench in all but three. His scoring average is the lowest since his rookie season of 2008-09. His time with the Lakers was rocky from the start, as he never fit in alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis, or even after the Lakers switched coaches from Frank Vogel to Darvin Ham after the season.
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