Report: Lakers acquire Russell Westbrook from Wizards
Russell Westbrook is heading to his fourth team in four seasons.
The Athletic's Shams Charania reported Thursday that the Washington Wizards and Los Angeles Lakers have agreed on a trade that involves Westbrook and several key Lakers players.
The Washington Wizards have agreed to trade Russell Westbrook, 2024 second-round pick, 2028 second-round pick to the Los Angeles Lakers for Kyle Kuzma, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Montrezl Harrell and No. 22 tonight, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 30, 2021
The Lakers reportedly would send Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and the No. 22 pick in this year's draft to the Wizards for Westbrook, a 2024 second-round pick and 2028 second-round pick. Harrell reportedly opted into his player option for next season before reports of the trade, giving the Lakers another asset to make the deal.
Westbrook reportedly wants to leave Washington and join LeBron James and Anthony Davis in his hometown of Los Angeles. The Wizards reportedly are considering options to bolster the team around Bradley Beal, who has been involved in trade rumors this offseason.
This is a trade Washington wants to make with Bradley Beal in mind, creating some salary cap flexibility for the future to add talent around him, sources tell ESPN. The idea of returning to his Los Angeles roots has been appealing to Westbrook.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 29, 2021
Westbrook is in the middle of a five-year, $206.8 million contract that he signed with the Oklahoma City Thunder. He is scheduled to earn $44 million in 2021-22 with a player option for 2022.
Lakers making moves after disappointing postseason
The Lakers were trying to build off their 2019-20 NBA championship, but came up short in the 2020-21 season. Los Angeles played in the first play-in tournament, despite James' displeasure, and advanced to the first round of the Western Conference playoffs as the No. 7 seed. The Phoenix Suns defeated the Lakers in six games in the first round.
The Lakers made a big move to get James and Davis a third superstar (a la the Brooklyn Nets) for the upcoming season.
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