Russell Westbrook is now the newest member of the Los Angeles Lakers.
After trade discussions between the Lakers and Washington Wizards heated up before the draft, both teams have sorted out the full details.
Headed to the Wizards are Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and the No. 22 overall pick in the 2021 NBA draft.
The Lakers will receive Westbrook along with a 2024 second-round pick and a 2028 second-round pick.
The draft selections were the final pieces both teams were trying to work out, and now it’s official.
Los Angeles won’t have a first-round pick for another season, and barring any other trades to get back in the draft, L.A. won’t have any drafted rookies on the team.
The trade was first reported by Shams Charania of The Athletic:
The Washington Wizards have agreed to trade Russell Westbrook, 2024 second-round pick, 2028 second-round pick to the Los Angeles Lakers for Kyle Kuzma, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Montrezl Harrell and No. 22 tonight, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 30, 2021
A big part of the deal’s completion involved Harrell. Harrell opted into his $9.7 million player option for next season, which L.A. needed in order to match the salaries since Westbrook will make over $44 million next season.
Because Westbrook, LeBron James and Anthony Davis take up a chunk of the financial books, the Lakers will find it even more difficult to round out the roster.
The Lakers have over 10 of their own free agents to decide on and have the $9.5 million taxpayer MLE and veteran minimums to rely on when the market opens on Aug. 2.
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