Russell Westbrook #Four of the Washington Wizards reacts previous to enjoying in opposition to the Denver Nuggets at Capital One Enviornment on Feb
Russell Westbrook #Four of the Washington Wizards reacts previous to enjoying in opposition to the Denver Nuggets at Capital One Enviornment on February 17, 2021 in Washington, DC.
Will Newton | Getty Pictures
The Washington Wizards have agreed to ship celebrity Russell Westbrook to the Los Angeles Lakers for 3 gamers and what was the quantity 22 choose in Thursday evening’s NBA draft, The Athletic and ESPN have reported.
Along with the first-round choose, the Wizards are receiving Kyle Kuzma, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Montrezl Harrell, per the reviews.
With the quantity 22 choose Washington chosen Isaiah Jackson, a shot-blocking middle out of Kentucky however later traded him to the Indiana Pacers in change for the 31st choose and level guard Aaron Vacation – brother of NBA champion with the Milwaukee Bucks, Jrue.
At 31 the Wizards then chosen Isaiah Todd, a 19-year-old energy ahead who selected forgo school and play within the NBA’s G-League, the place he averaged 12.three factors and 4.9 rebounds per recreation for the Ignite.
The Wizards are additionally sending their 2024 second-round choose and 2028 second-round choose to the Lakers together with Westbrook, who’s returning house to California. The Lengthy Seashore native performed his school ball at UCLA earlier than being drafted fourth general in 2008.
Westbrook averaged a triple-double in 2020-21 with 22.2 factors, 11.7 assists and 11.5 rebounds in his first season with the Wizards. It was the fourth time in his profession the purpose guard has averaged a triple-double for a season and he at the moment holds the all-time triple-double document with 184, having overtaken Oscar Robertson (181) in Could.
The nine-time All Star, nine-time All-NBA choice and 2017 Most Beneficial Participant joins LeBron James and Anthony Davis on the latest ‘tremendous group’ within the league. He additionally turns into the seventh former MVP to be acquired by the Lakers after Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bob McAdoo, Karl Malone, Steve Nash and James himself.
In return, the Wizards get three gamers who mixed to common 36.1 factors per recreation in 2020-21.
Harrell, who was awarded Sixth Man of the Yr in 2020, averaged 13.5 in his first season with the Lakers, whereas Kuzma averaged 12.9 and Caldwell-Pope 9.7 of their fourth seasons in L.A. All three gamers are nonetheless of their 20s.
Westbrook joins his third group through commerce in three years – the primary former MVP to take action – after spending 11 seasons of his NBA profession in Oklahoma Metropolis. He holds profession averages of 23.2 factors, 8.5 assists and seven.Four rebounds.
A number of hours after the commerce was confirmed, the 32-year-old took to Twitter to share his appreciation for the Wizards franchise.
“Thanks DC! You welcomed my household and I with open arms from day one,” he wrote. “Everybody from the entrance workplace, to the coaching employees, the coaches, my teammates, and the followers. I am grateful y’all took an opportunity on me and supported me each step of the best way.”
“I am blessed to have been part of such a get up group. It did not take lengthy to make a house in DC, and I’ll endlessly be grateful and appreciative of my expertise with the group. Thanks!”