Deadline Day: 3-Way Point Guard Swap

02/09/2023

By: Jeff Yoder

Lakers Acquire D’Angelo Russell, Send Russell Westbrook to Jazz in 3-Team Trade

It’s the point guard carousel! The NBA Trade Deadline is fast approaching this afternoon (3:00 pm ET), and three more star point guards are on the move. After the Mavericks swung a deal to get Kyrie Irving from the Nets over the weekend, a three-team deal last night involved three veteran point guards in the Western Conference — Russell Westbrook (Lakers), D’Angelo Russell (Timberwolves), and Mike Conley (Jazz). The Lakers were the clear initiators of the deal, and Los Angeles might have just salvaged their playoff hopes. D’Angelo Russell is still 26 years old and shooting the highest percentage of his career. He provides an outside shooting threat for the Lakers that Westbrook didn’t have.

 

Meanwhile, Westbrook (34) and Conley (35) are aging veterans. The Jazz are expected to buy out Westbrook’s contract, and he should walk as a free agent. All three teams — Lakers (25-30), Timberwolves (29-28), and Jazz (27-28) — are neck-and-neck at the bottom of the West playoff picture.

 

Trade Details

Lakers Receive: D’Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley & Jarred Vanderbilt

Timberwolves Receive: Mike Conley, Nickeil Alexander-Walker & Multiple Picks

Jazz Receive: Russell Westbrook, Juan Toscano-Anderson, Damian Jones & Lakers’ 2027 1st-Round Pick

 

Other Trades

Knicks trade Cam Reddish to Blazers for Josh Hart

 

NBA Trade Deadline: Today (3:00 pm ET)

Follow Live: NBA Trade Tracker (Every Official Deal)

 

Additional Storylines

SI: Breaking Down the Teams to Watch at NBA Trade Deadline

B/R: Clippers & Bulls Interested in Russell Westbrook If Jazz Buy Out Contract

ESPN: Lakers Coach Darvin Ham & Russell Westbrook Reportedly Had Heated Exchange in Tuesday Night’s Game

 

Photo: Katelyn Mulcahy / Getty Images