Update:
According to ESPN, the Los Angeles Lakers have reached a deal to acquire Russell Westbrook from the Washington Wizards. The Lakers will reportedly send Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and the No. 22 pick in tonight’s NBA Draft in order to complete the deal.
Original Story:
Amid reports about various offseason moves they can make, it’s being reported that the Los Angeles Lakers are trying to trade for the Washington Wizards’ Russell Westbrook.
According to a Thursday (July 29) report from The Athletic’s Shams Charania, the two teams are discussing a deal that would send Westbrook to the Lakers for Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. The Lakers’ No. 22 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft reportedly could also be involved.
“Lakers and Wizards are in serious talks on a Russell Westbrook trade to L.A., sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium,” reads one part of Charania’s follow-up tweet. “Westbrook has become the Lakers‘ primary focus. He would give them a dynamic playmaker alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis.”
Westbrook’s perceived value is pretty mixed at this point. Over the last several years, he’s regularly averaged a triple double, and he’s made history in doing so. However, despite his athleticism and all-around productivity, he scores at an inefficient rate and his impact on winning has routinely been questioned.
This is just the latest report that speculates moves the Lakers could make to improve as a team. Late last night, it was reported that a deal that would send Sacramento Kings guard Buddy Hield to the Lakers for multiple players had gained some serious traction. If this potential Wizards-Lakers trade goes through, though, that particular deal wouldn’t be possible. Fans will have to wait to see for themselves.
Last week, it was reported that San Antonio Spurs’ guard DeMar DeRozan and Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry would also be looking to possibly join the Lakers. With all of that said, a lot of things are up in the air. A lot of questions could be answered by the time tonight’s 2021 NBA Draft is over.
See Charania’s tweets about the potential deal for yourself below.