The Los Angeles Lakers have done it. With less than 24 hours to go ahead of the NBA trade deadline, general manager Rob Pelinka has pulled off a blockbuster three-team trade.
Parameters of the three-team deal with the Utah Jazz and Minnesota Timberwolves were reported earlier on Wednesday. We now have full details as the trade is nearing completion.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, D’Angelo Russell is headed from Minnesota to the Lakers. Los Angeles also acquires Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt from Utah. Russell Westbrook, Juan Toscano-Anderson, Damian Jones and a lightly protected 2027 first-round pick from the Lakers heads to Salt Lake City. Meanwhile, Minnesota acquires guard Mike Conley Jr., wing Nickeil Alexander-Walker and three second-round picks.
Here’s the full breakdown below
- Los Angeles Lakers acquire: D’Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley, Jarred Vanderbilt
- Utah Jazz acquire: Russell Westbrook, Juan Toscano-Anderson, Damian Jones, 1st-round pick (top-four protected)
- Minnesota Timberwolves acquire: Mike Conley Jr., Nickeil Alexander-Walker, 2nd-round picks in 2024, 2025 and 2026
Related: Updated NBA trade rumors
Initial reactions to Los Angeles Lakers blockbuster trade
First off, Westbrook will likely now be bought out by the Jazz and hit NBA free agency. Utah has no desire to give him minutes as front office head Danny Ainge and Co. continue to rebuild after the trades of Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell this past offseason.
From Los Angeles’ perspective, it is able to turn Westbrook’s expiring contract as well as two out-of-rotation players and a first-round pick into three potential core players. Obviously, Russell is the headliner heading to the Los Angeles Lakers in this trade.
- D’Angelo Russell stats (2022-23): 17.9 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 6.2 APG, 47% shooting, 39% 3-point
The Lakers now have an upgrade over Westbrook at point guard. Russell will be a member of the starting five once he joins the team. As for Vanderbilt, he was among the most sought-after players leading up to Thursday’s NBA trade deadline. The 23-year-old forward is averaging 8.3 points and 7.9 rebounds on 56% shooting from the field. Beasley will also now take over for Westbrook as the Lakers’ Sixth Man.
From Minnesota’s perspective, it turns an expiring Russell contract into former All-Star Mike Conley and three future second-round picks.
Conley, 35, is a shell of his former self. But he seems to be a better fit than Russell with the Wolves. The veteran is averaging 10.7 points and 7.7 assists on 41% shooting this season.