The Los Angeles Lakers have completed a three-team trade that will bring in guard D’Angelo Russell. They will also receive Jarred Vanderbilt and Malik Beasley. Utah will receive Russell Westbrook and a first-round pick. The Timberwolves are netting Mike Conley and a second-round pick. Shams Charania was the first to report the trade.
Russell, 26, started his career with the Lakers when he was the second overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft. Russell is averaging 17.9 points, 3.1 rebounds and 6.2 assists per game this season. Vanderbilt is averaging 8.3 points and 7.9 rebounds per game, while Beasley is putting up 13.4 points per game.
The Lakers are currently 13th in the Western Conference, so they’ll hope this move boosts their playoff chances.
Westbrook will be joining the Jazz after averaging 15.9 points, 6.2 rebounds and 7.5 assists per game. They will also be getting a first-round pick, which they have 15 of through the 2029 NBA Draft. The Jazz are currently rebuilding, which is likely why they took on Westbrook’s contract to get the first-round pick.
The Timberwolves are getting Mike Conley, who was scoring 10.7 points and notching 7.7 assists per game for the Jazz. They will also receive a second-round pick. Minnesota is in ninth place in the Western Conference standings.