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Wow. The Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly in “serious talks” with the Washington Wizards on a blockbuster trade for Russell Westbrook. Shams Charania of The Athletic has reported the news, stating that the deal would include Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and possibly the 22nd overall pick of the 2021 NBA Draft.
Lakers and Wizards are in serious talks on a Russell Westbrook trade to L.A., sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Westbrook has become the Lakers‘ primary focus. He would give them a dynamic playmaker alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 29, 2021
The Lakers and Wizards are discussing a trade that would send Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope for Westbrook, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. The Lakers’ No. 22 pick in the Draft could be in play, too. https://t.co/RQOnlyVnBS
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 29, 2021
The pieces of the deal might be the most shocking part, as it was only minutes ago when Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN said that the Lakers were moving towards completing a trade for the Sacramento Kings’ Buddy Hield that involved Kyle Kuzma and Montrezl Harrell. Wojnarowski now seems to corroborate Charania’s story, saying the following:
The Lakers are near a deal to acquire Washington’s Russell Westbrook for Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and a 2021 first-round pick, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 29, 2021
However, Wojnarowski also feels the need to emphasize that this deal for Westbrook is not completed.
There’s no agreement in place and work still to do on a Westbrook/Lakers deal, but talks with Kings on a possible Hield deal had also been ongoing between two teams, sources said. https://t.co/FV78eXb1Wh
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 29, 2021
This move can put the “Lakers need a third star” conversations to bed, as the team would now have a three-headed monster in LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Russell Westbrook. However, Rob Pelinka and the front office will now have to fill out the roster in strategic ways as they now have A LOT of money committed to those three players. Westbrook will make $44 million this upcoming season and $47 million in the 2022-23 season.
If that 22nd overall pick is included, that will leave the Lakers without any picks in tonight’s 2021 NBA Draft.
UPDATE: Brad Turner of the LA Times now seems to indicate that the Lakers may receive a second-round pick in tonight’s draft from the Wizards as part of the trade.
Can confirm reports Lakers are closing in on deal to acquire Russell Westbrook from Wizards for Kyle Kuzma, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Montrezl Harrell, who opted into his $9.7 million deal. Talks on-going about Lakers’ No. 22 pick in draft/Wizards sending Lakers a 2nd round pick.
— Brad Turner (@BA_Turner) July 29, 2021
Montrezl Harrell would leave the Lakers after one season with the team. The report of him opting-in to the final year of his contract came only minutes before the report of the Lakers-Wizards trade, as his opt-in was needed for Pelinka to seriously have these discussions.
The deal would take away two valued members of the Lakers’ 2020 NBA Finals championship team in Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Kyle Kuzma. Kuzma was also the longest tenured Lakers player, with that distinction now belonging to Alex Caruso (if he re-signs with the team).
Buckle up, Lakers fans.
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