The Los Angeles Lakers on Friday announced the acquisition of guard Russell Westbrook and three future second round picks from the Washington Wizards in exchange for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Montrezl Harrell, Kyle Kuzma and the draft rights to Isaiah Jackson.
The Lakers also announced the signings of Carmelo Anthony and Kent Bazemore, but the big offseason move was bringing Westbrook aboard.
“It takes a special mentality of competitiveness to take on the role of point guard for The Los Angeles Lakers,” Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka said in a team statement. “We have seen some of the all-time greats master that role here, and now Russell Westbrook gets to come home and do just that.”
Westbrook has the NBA’s most career triple-doubles (184), is a nine-time All-Star and has been named All-NBA nine times.
He was the 2017 NBA MVP.
Westbrook, 32, has career averages of 23.2 points, 8.5 assists, 7.4 rebounds and 1.7 steals in 943 games (926 starts) for Oklahoma City, Houston and Washington.
He put up 22.2 points, a league-best 11.7 assists and 11.5 rebounds per game last season in 65 games.
“Russell was a tremendous leader for us and watching him make history while with the Wizards was a privilege for me, our players and our fans that none of us will ever forget,” Wizards general manager Tommy Sheppard said in a team news release.
“The impact he made on our franchise and our players in just one season is remarkable and we wish him the best as he continues his Hall of Fame career.”
The Wizards also acquired guard Spencer Dinwiddie from the Brooklyn Nets, guard Aaron Holiday and the rights to Isaiah Todd and cash considerations from the Indiana Pacers in the five-team trade.
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–Field Level Media