Lakers Revamp Roster In Three-Team Trade, Acquire D'Angelo Russell And Financial Flexibility

Photo: Instagram/D'Angelo Russell

The Lakers have successfully traded Russell Westbrook in a three-team deal.

In this trade, the Lakers bring back D'Angelo Russell, who they selected with the 2nd pick in the 2015 NBA Draft.

They also add to their team with Malik Beasley, a career 38% three-point shooter and the athletic Jarred Vanderbilt, who has a career average of 11.8 rebounds per 36 minutes.

Photo: Instagram/D'Angelo Russell

The most important aspect of this trade is the financial flexibility that it brings to the Lakers beyond this year.

Westbrook's massive $47 million contract was almost too much for the Lakers to handle, but now they have Beasley on a non-guaranteed $16.5 million deal for next season, Vanderbilt on a bargain $4.6 million deal, and matching rights on Rui Hachimura.

The Lakers also have Russell's Bird rights, meaning they can go over the cap to sign him if they choose to keep him long-term.

As a result of this trade, the Lakers finally traded one of their future first-round picks, which was highly sought after in trade rumors.

This first-rounder is protected for picks 1-4, a great deal for Utah president Danny Ainge, who already obtained four first-round picks and a pick swap when he traded Rudy Gobert to Minnesota.

In exchange for Beasley, Vanderbilt and the cost of Westbrook's buyout, Ainge has now obtained another first-rounder.

For Minnesota, this trade reunited former Utah teammates Conley and Gobert, providing an extra year of team control with Conley.

Utah will also pick up little-used Lakers veterans Damian Jones and Juan Toscano-Anderson, while Minnesota obtains Nickeil Alexander-Walker.

Alexander-Walker, who was not playing much in Utah's crowded backcourt, is a 24-year-old shooting over 40% from outside and should be a valuable addition to the Timberwolves.

In conclusion, this trade helps the Lakers achieve their goal of getting help for LeBron James and setting themselves up for next year.

With Patrick Beverley's contract and a 2029 first-round pick still available, the Lakers might not be done dealing just yet.

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Source: Yard Barker