The Los Angeles Lakers made a huge NBA Draft night splash to get LeBron James and Anthony Davis a third superstar.
The 2020 NBA champions have agreed to a deal to acquire point guard Russell Westbrook from the Washington Wizards. In exchange for the 2017 MVP, the Wizards would receive Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and the Lakers’ No. 22 pick in Thursday night’s draft, ESPN.com reported. The Lakerso gets to second-round in 2024 and 2028 from the Wizards.
The Lakers have been on the prowl for another superstar to lift the pressure off of James and Davis. Westbrook is now that guy.
As a member of the Wizards, the 32-year-old Westbrook averaged 22.2 points, 11.5 rebounds, and a career-high 11.7 assists per game last season. He will be the key playmaker any time James isn’t on the court, which was a problem the Lakers had in 2021.
“Thank you DC! You welcomed my family and I with open arms from day one,” Westbrook wrote on Twitter. “Everyone from the front office, to the training staff, the coaches, my teammates, and the fans. I’m grateful y’all took a chance on me and supported me every step of the way.
“I’m blessed to have been a part of such a stand up organization. It didn’t take long to make a home in DC, and I will forever be grateful and appreciative of my experience with the organization. Thank you! #thedistrict”
In the 27 games James missed due to injury, the Lakers went 12-15 and saw their points per game drop from 109.5 to 105.7.
Kuzma, 26, was seen as the centerpiece of the trade. His numbers have declined since James arrived in 2018, but he still has loads of potential. During his rookie year, Kuzma averaged 16.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, and shot 36.6 percent from 3-point range — the best in his career.
The Wizards would also receive a draft pick, which they can use to potentially develop a young player, and a veteran swingman in Caldwell-Pope. Last season, Caldwell-Pope shot a career-high 41 percent from downtown.
The Lakers are trying to return to the Finals after being knocked out in the first round by the Phoenix Suns this season. James, 36, is hunting for his fifth championship.