The Los Angeles Lakers finally let go of Russell Westbrook (35). The Lakers, who sent out Wistbrook, who could not melt into the team, and immediately recruited a sense of power, plan to sprint toward spring basketball. 슬롯사이트
According to foreign media on the 9th (Korean time), the Lakers decided to send Westbrook to the Utah Jazz and receive Minnesota Timberwolves guard D’Angelo Russell (27).
Although the club has not officially announced it yet, foreign media reported that a triangular trade was made between the Lakers, Utah and Minnesota. The Lakers said they would sign Russell, Malik Beasley and Jared Vanderbilt, while Utah would sign Westbrook, Juan Toscano Anderson and Damien Jones. Minnesota is reportedly bringing Mike Conley and Nickel Alexander Works. Utah, which is rebuilding, is expected to secure an additional rookie first-round pick in 2027, and Minnesota an additional second-round pick for 2024-2026.
The Lakers have secured a solid resource. Russell is averaging 17.9 points and 6.2 assists this season. Russell, who was named by the Lakers with the second overall pick in the 2015 draft, left the team in 2017 when he was traded to the Brooklyn Nets, but finally returned to his home team. Also, Beasley and Vanderbilt, who will play together for the Lakers, are players who worked together with Russell last season. As Russell was evaluated as a player who was highly likely to leave Minnesota as a free agent (FA) at the end of this season, Minnesota resolved this problem in advance.
Westbrook has been performing well this season with 15.9 points and 7.5 assists, but he did not live up to the Lakers expectations. Westbrook, who recorded 198 triple-dubs in his career, is a versatile player. He is difficult to block once he explodes, but he has the downside of having many ups and downs. Westbrock went through his fourth trade in five years after moving the team from the Oklahoma City Thunder to Houston in July 2019.
The Lakers are still hungry for a win. James, who is evaluated as one of the best players of all time, is also challenging to win. James showed his will, saying, “I want to compete to win the championship,” even at the moment when he reached the top of the all-time scoring list on the 8th.
However, the situation in front of the Lakers is not easy. The Lakers are pushed to 13th in the West with 25 wins and 30 losses. It is a situation where victory is needed for stable spring basketball. Anthony Davis has returned from injury, and even James is showing undisturbed prowess, but the Lakers are still unable to find their way, including losing two straight games. With this trade, attention is focused on whether the Lakers will write an anti-war drama.