The LA Lakers attempt to bolster their roster and get back on track in the West and they are now finalizing a blockbuster trade with the Utah Jazz and Minnesota Timberwolves.
Per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, Russell Westbrook, Mike Conley and D’Angelo Russell are part of the deal.
ESPN Sources: The Lakers are finalizing deal to land Minnesota’s D’Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt in trade including Mike Conley and picks to Timberwolves and Russell Westbrook and a lightly protected 2027 LA first-round pick to Jazz.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 9, 2023
In the deal, the Lakers will acquire Timberwolves’ D’Angelo Russell as well as Utah Jazz players Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt. Meanwhile, they will send Russell Westbrook, Juan Toscano-Anderson, Damian Jones and a 2027 first-round pick to Utah.
For its part, Minnesota will receive guards Mike Conley and Nickeil Alexander-Walker along with second-round picks. The trade is expected to be made official before Thursday’s deadline.
Also in deal: Juan Toscano-Anderson and Damian Jones to Jazz, Nickeil Alexander-Walker to the Timberwolves, sources said.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 9, 2023
D’Angelo Russell is averaging 17.9 points and 6.2 assists this season, on a career-high 46.5% from the field and 39.1% from beyond the arc, and returns to LA after five years.
Russell Westbrook, who is averaging 15.9 points, 6.2 boards and 7.5 assists, leaves the Lakers after less than two years with the franchise, failing to win a championship alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Both Russell and Westbrook are in the final year of their respective contracts and will hit free agency this summer.
Mike Conley, on the other hand, has led the rebuilding Jazz to a surprising spot in the play-in race (27-28), averaging a career-low 10.7 points and a career-high 7.7 assists this year. Per Adrian Wojnarowski, all players involved have been notified about the trade.
Players have been informed of trade and deal is fully complete now, sources said.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 9, 2023
