Lakers get PG Russell in 3-team trade (2024)

  • ESPN News Services

Feb 8, 2023, 08:27 PM ET

The Los Angeles Lakers have traded Russell Westbrook to the Utah Jazz and reacquire point guard D'Angelo Russell from the Minnesota Timberwolves in a three-team, eight-player trade announced Thursday.

The Lakers also get Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt in the trade, while the Timberwolves will receive guards Mike Conley and Nickeil Alexander-Walker and picks.

In addition to Westbrook, the Jazz will receive Juan Toscano-Anderson, Damian Jones and a 2027 Lakers first-round pick that is top-four protected, sources said. If the Lakers' pick to the Jazz is not conveyed in 2027 -- if it falls in the top four -- it will convert to a 2027 second-round pick, sources told ESPN's Zach Lowe.

The additions of Russell, Beasley and Vanderbilt bolster the Lakers' core around LeBron James in a bid to jump-start their sputtering season. The Lakers fell to 25-30 on Tuesday while James set the NBA's career scoring record and sit in 13th place in the 15-team Western Conference.

Russell and Beasley, in particular, should help a Lakers team that ranks 26th in 3-point field goal percentage and 27th in 3-point field goal percentage on wide-open attempts, according to Second Spectrum.

Russell, 26, is averaging 17.9 points and 6.2 assists per game while shooting 46.5% from the field, including 39.1% from 3-point range.

After a rocky start to the season combined with the loss of Karl-Anthony Towns to a calf strain in late November, Russell helped steady the ship and keep Minnesota in the mix of a competitive race in the middle of the Western Conference.

He is averaging career highs in field goal percentage and 3-point percentage this season. He is also finishing at an elite rate: His 65.4% shooting on layups and dunks ranks in the top 10 among guards (minimum 125 field goal attempts).

But with Russell heading into the final year of his deal and the continued emergence of Anthony Edwards, Minnesota decided to move in another direction.

This will be Russell's second stint with the Lakers. He was drafted No. 2 overall by the team in 2015 and played two seasons for Los Angeles before being traded to the Brooklyn Nets in June 2017.

Russell has played for five teams in eight years; he has yet to complete three seasons on the same team in his NBA career.

Beasley is a strong outside shooter, averaging 13.4 points per game while hitting 35.9% of his 3-pointers for the Jazz. The 6-foot-9 Vanderbilt has averaged 8.3 points and 7.9 rebounds per game, excelling on defense and on the boards while starting 41 of his 52 games.

Westbrook's tenure in Los Angeles ends less than two years after the Lakers acquired the former MVP in the hopes of vaulting the franchise back into title contention. However, injuries and a poor on-court fit among Westbrook, LeBron James and Anthony Davis led to the Lakers missing the postseason last year and have them in danger of doing the same this season.

Westbrook, 34, now moves to his fifth team in as many years after a decorated 11-year stint in Oklahoma City that saw him make eight All-NBA teams and win the MVP award in 2017.

He can still fill up the stat sheet in his 15th NBA season and is one of just six players to have at least four triple-doubles this season. But with his move to the bench, Westbrook's overall production has dipped from his career norms, averaging 15.9 points, 6.2 rebounds and 7.5 assists per game. His 41.7% shooting is in the bottom 10 among players averaging at least 12 field goal attempts per game.

Westbrook is in the final season of the five-year, maximum extension he signed with the Thunder in 2017. He is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer.

Conley, 35, is one of the last remaining players from the Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert era in Utah and has helped lead the Jazz to a surprising chase for the play-in.

Utah's Jordan Clarkson said it was "super hard to say goodbye" to Conley after four years together.

"That guy was like Yoda, honestly," Clarkson said. "He had so many stories, and he had such an enlightenment about him. You just listened to him. ... He can communicate with anyone."

Conley is averaging 10.7 points per game this season, the lowest since his rookie season, but also a career-high 7.7 assists.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

Lakers get PG Russell in 3-team trade (2024)

FAQs

Who did the Lakers trade in the 3 team NBA? ›

It would be a three-team trade between the Lakers, Charlotte Hornets, and Utah Jazz. Los Angeles would receive guard Tre Mann and center Nick Richards from the Hornets. They would also get two trade exceptions in a $13.8 million one from Russell and a $3 million one from center Christian Wood.

Who did the Lakers trade to get D. Angelo Russell? ›

Return to the Lakers (2023–present)

On February 9, 2023, Russell was traded back to the Los Angeles Lakers in a three-team trade involving the Utah Jazz, sending Mike Conley Jr. and Nickeil Alexander-Walker to Minnesota.

What did they trade for Russell Westbrook? ›

SALT LAKE CITY – For the second time, the Utah Jazz are acquiring Russell Westbrook, this time in a sign and trade with the Los Angeles Clippers for guard Kris Dunn. ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported the news on social media.

Who won the Lakers trade? ›

As of now, the Lakers win this trade. While the Pelicans were able to build a core and get a ton back after they were unable to win with Davis, they have yet to advance far in the playoffs. Meanwhile, the Lakers lost significant draft leverage, but they still won a championship with Davis, which is the ultimate goal.

Who was 3 on the Lakers? ›

Anthony Marshon Davis Jr. (born March 11, 1993), nicknamed "AD", is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He previously played for the New Orleans Pelicans.

How many rings does D'Angelo Russell have? ›

D'Angelo Russell has not won any championships in his career.

Who have the Lakers traded away? ›

Since LeBron James Signed With The Lakers, More Than 30 Players Were Traded, Only 3 Players Were Landed, And 3 Second Round Picks
  • Players Traded Away From The Lakers Since LeBron James Arrived:
  • Rajon Rondo.
  • Wang Zhelin (draft rights)
  • Brad Newley (draft rights)
  • Marc Gasol.
  • Isaiah Jackson.
  • Kyle Kuzma.
  • Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
Apr 13, 2022

Who was traded from Lakers to Pelicans? ›

The Lakers traded Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart, Lonzo Ball and the three first-round picks (2019, 2022 and 2025) to New Orleans for Davis in the summer of 2019.

Who did the Clippers get for Westbrook? ›

Clippers trade Russell Westbrook, acquire Kris Dunn in a sign-and-trade with Jazz | NBA.com.

How many rings does Westbrook have? ›

Russell Westbrook has not won any championships in his career.

How long did Russell Westbrook play for the Lakers? ›

Russell Westbrook played for the Thunder from 2008-09 to 2018-19, the Rockets in 2019-20, the Wizards in 2020-21, the Lakers from 2021-22 to 2022-23 and the Clippers from 2022-23 to 2023-24.

Who are the Lakers trying to get in the trade? ›

Lakers reportedly interested in Blazers forward Jerami Grant

In search of roster upgrades across the league, the Lakers are reportedly interested Blazers swingman Jerami Grant, a longtime target of the franchise.

Have the Lakers ever won? ›

Los Angeles Lakers (17 titles) Boston Celtics (17) Golden State Warriors (7) Chicago Bulls (6)

Who are the Lakers potential free agents? ›

5 best remaining free agents for the Lakers
  • Precious Achiuwa. The Lakers have been searching for quality bigs to pair with Anthony Davis for the last few seasons and have yet to find one they'd like to retain. ...
  • Spencer Dinwiddie. ...
  • Lonnie Walker IV. ...
  • Gordon Hayward. ...
  • Jae Crowder.
Jul 19, 2024

Was Wilt Chamberlain traded to the Lakers? ›

With no better alternative, Chamberlain decided to flex his power in the media by declaring, “I'll trade myself.” He eventually got his wish when the Lakers acquired him for Darrall Imhoff, Archie Clark, Jerry Chambers and cash, thereby forming a superstar trio of Chamberlain, Jerry West and Elgin Baylor.

Who leads the Lakers in 3 pointers? ›

Kobe Bryant has drained the most career threes for the Lakers, with 1,827 three-pointers.

Who is favored to get Demar Derozan? ›

Team
Team
Los Angeles Lakers+275
Miami Heat+400
Los Angeles Clippers+400
Charlotte Hornets+800
5 more rows
Jul 4, 2024

Has the Lakers ever won a championship? ›

During their 72-year history, the Lakers have won seventeen championships--five in Minneapolis and twelve in Los Angeles.

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