Sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski that the Los Angeles Lakers have agreed with the Washington Wizards to acquire Kyle Kuzma, Montreal Harrell, Kentavius Caldwell-Pope and Russell Westbrook in exchange for the No. 22 pick in Thursday night's NBA Draft.
Sources said the Wizards are sending second round picks of 2024 and 2028 to the Lakers to complete the deal.
According to The Athletic, the Wizards took the number 22 pick and went to the Indiana Pacers for point guard Aaron Holiday, the younger brother of Team USA member and current NBA champion Jrue Holiday. With that pick, the Pacers advanced Isaiah Jackson to Kentucky.
Harrell opted out his $9.7 million player option for next Thursday's season, paving the way for a Westbrook trade.
The Lakers are also in talks with the Sacramento Kings over a possible Buddy Heald deal involving Kuzma and Harrell, sources told Wojnarowski, but eventually turned to Westbrook.
Westbrook will join LeBron James, Anthony Davis & Co. in Los Angeles, giving the team a nine-time All-Star point guard. Westbrook, who turns 33 in November, has averaged a triple-double in a season four times in his career, including this past season. That gives the Lakers two of the top five players in career triple-doubles: Westbrook has 184, James 99.
The Lakers will be Westbrook's fourth team in the same season. According to research by the Alias Sports Bureau, he will be the fifth former MVP to play for four different franchises in a span of four seasons or less, along with Bob McAdoo, Shaquille O'Neill, Alan Iverson and Derrick Rose.
Wizards acquired Westbrook from Rockets last December as part of the John Wall deal. In his first and only season at Washington, he averaged 22.2 points, 11.5 rebounds and 11.7 assists, although he shot only 43.9% off the floor and 3 to 31.5%.
While the trade may not be officially announced until August 6, when the salary range becomes official, Westbrook took to social media Thursday night in D.C. Said goodbye to
He wrote, "Thank you DC! You welcomed my family and I with open arms from day one." "Everyone from the front office to the training staff, the coaches, my teammates and fans. I am grateful that you took a chance on me and supported me every step of the way. I am blessed to be a part of such a stand up organization. DC It didn't take long for me to make it home, and I will always be grateful and appreciated for my experience with the organization. Thank you! #thedistrict."
Westbrook's ability to play could help the Lakers. LA rank 18th in points per game scored in assists in 2020-21. Westbrook has led the NBA in that category for three of the last four seasons, with the only exception being the year he spent in Houston with James Harden.
Dennis Schröder ran the point for the Lakers last season, but he deserved a maximum extension to the Lakers to pursue a more lucrative deal as a free agent this summer.
Westbrook, who hails from Southern California and played at UCLA, is intrigued by the idea of returning to Los Angeles roots, sources said. He is owed $44.2 million this season; The Westbrook-James-Davis trio will combine to earn $121 million in 2021-22 - 19 full teams earning less in free agency.
For Washington, the deal was made with Bradley Beal in mind; This creates some salary-cap flexibility to add talent around the star guard for the foreseeable future, sources told Wojnarowski. Beale is entering the final year of his contract and is set to become a free agent next season.
Business will open north of $25 million for Washington in 2022-23.
News of the deal had an immediate impact on the sportsbook. Per Kaiser Sportsbook by William Hill, the Lakers went from 4-1 to +350 to win the NBA title. The Brooklyn Nets are +225 favorites.
Meanwhile, Westbrook is the +110 favorite to be the NBA assists leader.