Report: Lakers trade Russell Westbrook to Jazz in three-team deal involving Timberwolves
Russell Westbrook is on the move.
The Los Angeles Lakers reportedly are trading Russell Westbrook to the Utah Jazz in a three-team deal, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, citing sources.
The third team involved is the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Los Angeles will receive D’Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt, while Westbrook and the Lakers’ lightly protected 2027 first-round pick will head to Utah. The Timberwolves will receive Mike Conley Jr. and second-round pick compensation.
Wojnarowski added the Lakers’ duo of Juan Toscano-Anderson and Damian Jones will also head to Utah, with Jazz’s Nickeil Alexander-Walker going to Minnesota.
Westbrook reportedly is expected to be bought out of his expiring $47 million contract, which will make him a free agent, according to Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report and TNT, citing sources. Haynes added that the Los Angeles Clippers would be interested in Westbrook should a buyout occur.
The Lakers acquired Westbrook from the Washington Wizards in 2021, sending back Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and its first-round pick that draft, but the move to pair him with LeBron James and Anthony Davis failed to pan out.
The Lakers missed the postseason completely in Westbrooks first season, finishing 11th in the Western Conference and outside of the play-in bracket. Theyre currently 13th this season and could suffer the same fate, though the conference is still wide open with 27 games to go on Los Angeles schedule.
