Russell Westbrook’s time with the Los Angeles Lakers may be coming to an end.
According to Shams Charania of the Athletic and Stadium, the Lakers are discussing a three-team that would send Westbrook to the Utah Jazz.
The Lakers, Jazz and Timberwolves are in discussions on a three-team deal that would send D’Angelo Russell to the Lakers, Russell Westbrook and draft compensation such as a first-round pick to Utah and Mike Conley Jr. to Minnesota, sources tell me and @Tjonesonthenba.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 8, 2023
Later Wednesday he added that, per his sources, the three teams are “finalizing trade sending D’Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt to Los Angeles, Russell Westbrook and first-round pick to Utah and Mike Conley Jr. and second-round pick compensation to Minnesota.”
Lakers, Jazz and Timberwolves are finalizing trade sending D’Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt to Los Angeles, Russell Westbrook and first-round pick to Utah and Mike Conley Jr. and second-round pick compensation to Minnesota, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 9, 2023
TNT and Bleacher Report senior NBA insider Chris Haynes reports Westbrook would likely be bought out by the Jazz, if the deal is completed. A buyout would make the nine-time NBA All-Star a free agent, and allow him to sign with any team.
In three-team deal being discussed between Lakers, Wolves and Jazz, a buyout for Russell Westbrook in Utah would be the likely path, league sources tell @NBAonTNT, @BleacherReport.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) February 8, 2023
News of the potential three-team deal surfaced hours after ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Westbrook and Lakers head coach Darvin Ham got into a “brief, heated verbal exchange” during halftime of LeBron James’ historic game against the Oklahoma City Thunder last night.
Voices were raised in locker room, but discussion turned back to trying to win game vs. Thunder, sources said. Ham closed game with Westbrook, who had a season-high 14 points in fourth quarter. Ham and Westbrook dapped up prior to leaving arena later in night. https://t.co/8cch24Sgbq
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 8, 2023
In the wake of the very real possibility of Westbrook’s imminent departure, NBA fans took to Twitter to reflect on his tenure with the Lakers:
I need this from Russell Westbrook when he make his goodbye speech to the lakers. pic.twitter.com/iifQ7f7aUY
— ANA_WESTGOAT#0 💎 (@susan1234456789) February 8, 2023
Russell Westbrook after being told he’s getting sent to Utah pic.twitter.com/2RgwCFlBQ8
— BetMGM 🦁 (@BetMGM) February 8, 2023
in light of the trade rumors, i just wanted to say that russell westbrook is the most overhated athlete on the face of this earth. thank you russ 💐 pic.twitter.com/KRxPn3sW0n
— honest lakers fan 👑 (@LakersHonestly) February 8, 2023
Russell Westbrook when he is traded from the Los Angeles Lakers: pic.twitter.com/S7LagwqclM
— Beastbrook (@Beastbr00k0) February 9, 2023
pic.twitter.com/fdUTiTl9pL https://t.co/Df0dE4eWvH
— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) February 9, 2023
I’m convinced people only clown Russell Westbrook on twitter because it’s an easy way to get engagement. The team is below .500 but yet only critique every single thing he does and every single game he plays in.
— TrustIn_Jay (@___Prime) February 3, 2023
Russell Westbrook came to the Lakers the same way her left, as a first ballot HOF point guard. Thank you for being a class act 💯pic.twitter.com/6ftnn8CWSI
— The Pettiest Laker Fan 🤫 (@ThePettiestLA) February 9, 2023
Words by Jose Martinez
