Lakers

But it seemed like one of his teammates wasn't all that pumped when the record-breaking shot was made. I don't know what was going on with Anthony Davis but ...

LeBron James became the NBA's career scoring leader late in the third quarter, passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's record during his 38-point performance in the ...

James scored only two points in the fourth quarter, putting him atop the career scoring list with 38,390 points. Abdul-Jabbar then joined an emotional James and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver on the court after the historic basket. LOS ANGELES (AP) — LeBron James became the NBA’s career scoring leader on a stepback jumper late in the third quarter, passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s record during his 38-point performance in the Los Angeles Lakers’ 133-130 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday night.

LeBron James is now the NBAs all-time leading scorer after breaking Kareem Abdul-Jabbars record of 38387 career points on Tuesday.

He averaged 20.9 points per game as a rookie, becoming the youngest player to reach 1,000 career points. In 2006, a 21-year-old James topped Kobe Bryant as the youngest ever to 5,000 career points. He totaled 7,919 points in four seasons with the Heat. He has scored 10-plus points in every game he has played in since Jan. Between that bucket and the nearly 40,000 points James has scored since, he won Rookie of the Year, four NBA championships, four MVPs, four Finals MVPs, three All-Star Game MVPs and two Olympic gold medals. He went on to score eight straight points for the Lakers, shooting 3-for-6 over nine minutes in the first quarter. "To be able to be in the presence of such a legend and great as Kareem, it means so much to me. James averaged 20.9 points per game as a rookie and has topped 25 points per every season since, including more than 30 points per game three times. James pulled within single digits of setting the record after hitting consecutive threes in the third. "Everybody that's ever been a part of this run with me the last 20-plus years, I just want to say I thank you so much because I wouldn't be me without y'all," he said. "I just want to say thank you to the Laker faithful, you guys are one of a kind," James said. He long ago was anointed "The Chosen One."

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's long-time scoring record was passed by LeBron James on Tuesday in the latest achievement of a remarkable career.

On a night that was all about celebrating LeBron James becoming the NBA's all-time scoring leader, the Los Angeles Lakers playoff hopes took a hit with a...

But the story for the Lakers was the same as it has been all season: James doing everything he can to help them win, but the talent around him coming up short. James did allow himself to get emotional in the wake of his personal achievement. Despite the historic moment for James, the Lakers are still reeling as they try to make some headway into the playoff race.

The celebration of LeBron James' new scoring record Tuesday night didn't end at Crypto.com Arena .... the Lakers star and several of his teammates hit an ...

'Bron broke a [Kareem Abdul-Jabbar](https://www.tmz.com/people/kareem-abdul-jabbar/) record that had stood since 1984. He ended his speech in fitting fashion, exhaling, "F***, man." The fiesta seemed like a blast ... [Jay-Z](https://www.tmz.com/people/jay-z/) to [Bad Bunny](https://www.tmz.com/people/bad-bunny/) to [Usher](https://www.tmz.com/people/usher/), [Floyd Mayweather](https://www.tmz.com/people/floyd-mayweather/) and [Dwyane Wade](https://www.tmz.com/people/dwayne-wade/) had courtside seats. [LeBron James](https://www.tmz.com/people/lebron-james/)' new scoring record Tuesday night didn't end at Crypto.com Arena .... Savannah spoke first, congratulating her hubby on all his hard work. [Patrick Beverley](https://www.tmz.com/people/patrick-beverly/), Rui Hachimura and Thomas Bryant were all spotted following L.A.'s loss to the Thunder, piling into The Fleur Room in West Hollywood to honor LBJ and his new all-time NBA points mark. [Rich Paul](https://www.tmz.com/people/rich-paul/), as well as [Karrueche Tran](https://www.tmz.com/people/karrueche-tran/), [Kelly Rowland](https://www.tmz.com/people/kelly-rowland/), [Jimmy Iovine](https://www.tmz.com/people/jimmy-iovine/) and [Corey Gamble](https://www.tmz.com/people/corey-gamble/) were also seen making their way into the venue. [reason to celebrate](https://www.tmz.com/2023/02/07/lebron-james-breaks-kareem-abdul-jabbar-all-time-scoring-record-nba/) despite the 133-130 defeat ... All of the celebs appeared to be in awe after James scored the bucket -- Usher and Floyd, who were sitting next to each other, were all smiles. [Savannah](https://www.tmz.com/people/savannah-james/), eventually got there as well -- and the two gave emotional speeches to the crowd in attendance. hotspot after the game to keep the party for the King rollin'.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — LeBron James became the NBA's career scoring leader on a stepback jumper late in the third quarter, passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's record ...

James scored only two points in the fourth quarter, putting him atop the career scoring list with 38,390 points. Abdul-Jabbar then joined an emotional James and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver on the court after the historic basket. The game was stopped for about 10 minutes while James hugged his family and participated in a brief ceremony with Silver and Abdul-Jabbar.

In the first half, Westbrook and Lakers assistant coach Phil Handy got into their second heated discussion on the bench over the past few weeks. James' co-star ...

Now that James has accomplished his goal, all that remains for this season is whether he and the Lakers — potentially with the help of a pre-deadline trade — can accomplish their collective one. [LeBron James had every intention of breaking the NBA scoring record against the Thunder. It’s difficult to separate the two, as the Lakers showed in recent weeks. But it’s been a talking point for weeks, with James, Ham and the rest of the team being asked about it during every press availability. With players increasingly sitting out regular-season games for load management, along with the increased severity of lower extremity injuries due to the game’s spread out nature, there’s a chance that James’ record — which he’ll continue to build on for at least two more seasons — Lakers staffers compared the anticipation and atmosphere to Kobe Bryant’s final game in 2016 and Bryant’s jersey retirement in 2017. But the Thunder, who used the momentum of the moment to their advantage, separated themselves once again with their ball movement and 3-point shooting in the fourth. With just 27 games remaining in the season, the Lakers now sit two games out of the final Play-In Tournament slot and four games back of the No. In addition to James’ wife, Savannah, children, Bronny, Bryce and Zhuri, and mother, Gloria, he had dozens of friends and family members in attendance. “Our offense, I think got stagnant and the guys, they wanted to see LeBron do what he did tonight,” Ham said. Davis spoke with the media afterward, saying all of the right things about James breaking the record. In the first half, Westbrook and Lakers assistant coach Phil Handy got into their second heated discussion on the bench over the past few weeks.

Tuesday night was all about LeBron James breaking the NBA scoring record, but now it's morphing into something a little bit different.

LeBron debate, but this time with James coming to Charlotte and winning the first title in NBA history for the team Jordan owns. I could end this with a “nuff said,” and you’d get it — but imagine what getting the Knicks over the hump would mean for LeBron’s legacy. LeBron is not the problem on the Lakers, it’s the talent around him. The Hornets are ass-bad and they are desperate to assemble superstar talent around LaMelo Ball. The team is already built to compete with Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell, and Cleveland has been curiously keeping its 2024 pick in their pocket — which is the first year Bronny James could enter the NBA. LeBron” debate, then what better way that coming to Chicago and winning a title in Jordan’s house? LeBron can be traded in the off-season, should he decide to force his way out — or Los Angeles will have almost max-level money in free agency, should they trade Westbrook. However, while other teams in the conference are making moves to get better, Los Angeles has largely been treading water, with their most notable move being a trade for Rui Hachimura. The way I’m feeling the way my body’s been reacting to me throughout the course of the season I know I can play a couple more years. The team’s grand plan to assemble a championship-winning big three of LeBron, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook has been nothing short of disastrous. Davis has been brilliant when available, but routinely injured since joining the Lakers — while Westbrook has been a shadow of his former self over the last two years, and perennially in trade rumors. Not “the Lakers,” not “this group of guys,” but anyone.

On the night LeBron James broke the NBA's all-time scoring record, there was beef in the Lakers locker room.

Arriving as a star point guard, Westbrook has primarily coming off the bench this season, the first time in his career, that he has not started the bulk of his games. Westbrook played 28 minutes coming off the bench, finishing with 27 points on the night, including 14 in the fourth quarter. [According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski](https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1623380175487393793), the Lakers coach and guard got into a “brief, heated verbal exchange in the halftime locker room.” Ham was reportedly unhappy with how Westbrook lingered on the court after being subbed out of the game in the second quarter.

Russell Westbrook and Lakers coach Darvin Ham had a brief, heated exchange in the locker room during halftime of Tuesday's game, sources told ESPN.

[133-130](/nba/boxscore/_/gameId/401468976), the game was highlighted by L.A. star [LeBron James](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/1966/lebron-james) scoring 38 points and surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the [No. Ham closed the game with Westbrook, who had 14 of his 27 points in the fourth quarter.

Lakers guard Russell Westbrook and coach Darvin Ham reportedly were involved in a “brief, heated verbal exchange” at halftime in the locker room during Tuesday ...

LeBron James got the scoring record Tuesday, but all was reportedly not well among the Lakers vs. the Thunder.

Lake Show Life's Jason Reed came up with a trade proposal that would send a benched Lakers starter to the Boston Celtics for picks and salary filler.

Two future second-rounders would be great value for Walker if L.A. Boston is looking for wing help behind Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, and Walker is no longer the starter in Tinseltown due to knee issues that have persisted throughout his five-year career split between San Antonio and L.A. Reed suggests the Lakers pull off a deal with Boston that’d see the Cs absorb Walker into the fold while sending out two future second-round picks and Justin Jackson:

D'Angelo Russell could be coming back to the same Lakers team that drafted him, with Russell Westbrook potentially being sent to the Jazz or Timberwolves.

[@JacobRude](https://twitter.com/JacobRude). [Lakers](https://www.silverscreenandroll.com)’ love for bringing back former players and the fanbase’s love of the Baby Lakers might be meeting a crossroads. As a shooter and floor-spacer, lineups alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis would not be nearly as clunky or hard to fit. This season, Russell is averaging 17.9 points and 6.2 assists per game while shooting 39.1% from the 3-point line. Russell is making $31.3 million this year, far below Westbrook’s figure which explains the need for multiple other players to be included. to Minnesota and Russell Westbrook to Utah.

Charania notes that discussions have also included the potential of the Jazz's Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt going to the Lakers in a deal.

The Los Angeles Lakers, Minnesota Timberwolves and Utah Jazz are finalizing a three-team trade that would send Russell Westbrook to Utah, D'Angelo Russell, Jarred Vanderbilt and Malik Beasley to L.A. He is currently in his fourth season with the T-Wolves and has averaged 17.9 points on .465 shooting, 6.2 assists and 3.1 boards over 32.9 minutes per game in 54 games. In 43 games this season, he is averaging 10.7 PPG on .408 shooting, 7.7 APG and 2.5 RPG over 29.7 MPG. Coming off of the bench for the first time in his career, the nine-time All-Star is averaging 15.9 PPG on .417 shooting, 7.5 APG and 6.2 RPG over 28.7 MPG in 52 games. ESPN Sources: The Lakers are finalizing deal to land Minnesota’s D’Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt in trade including Mike Conley and picks to Timberwolves and Russell Westbrook and a lightly protected 2027 LA first-round pick to Jazz.— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) and Mike Conley to Minnesota, according to multiple reports.

The Lakers, Jazz and Timberwolves are in discussions on a three-team deal that would send D'Angelo Russell to the Lakers.

That would give the Wolves much more flexibility to work with in trades and roster construction moving forward, in addition to landing a player they believe would be a big help for the stretch run. And now, that’s one more quiver in the bow for this offseason and in offseasons to come. [John Wall](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/john-wall-Hi3iaXUQCSafuGlJ/) to be. Plus, [Paul George](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/paul-george-kIIUTtsJtSpaZfu1/) has supported Westbrook throughout his rough times with the Lakers. And on a team that hopes to have another player who takes a lot of shots in Karl-Anthony Towns returning sometime after the All-Star break, bringing a more classic quarterback to help run the offense could help smooth things out. It took the Wolves months to figure out how to tinker with the offense after losing Beasley’s volume 3-point shooting in the Gobert trade last summer. Conley and Gobert played together in Utah and built a pick-and-roll synergy that, to this point, Russell and Gobert have not been able to develop. The need for improved guard play pushed the team to be involved in trade talks for [Kyrie Irving](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/kyrie-irving-c9XLlxAFm6NG5ddD/) from Brooklyn before [he was dealt](https://theathletic.com/4158002/2023/02/05/kyrie-irving-trade-nets-mavericks/) to the [Mavericks](https://theathletic.com/nba/team/mavericks/) on Monday. The Lakers improved their roster and didn’t have to empty their asset cupboard. [NBA](https://theathletic.com/nba/) trade deadline. The situation had become untenable over the past week or so, multiple team and league sources close to the situation told The Athletic. He averaged 14.3 points and 4.0 assists per game with the Lakers in his first two seasons in the league before being traded in 2016.

The get-in price for Thursday's contest stands at just $100 after peaking at $796 before James' historic night — an astounding 87% drop.

Bucks on Thursday was pacing to be one of the most expensive games on record, if not the most expensive,” TickPick brand manager Kyle Zorn said in an email. Those who pulled the trigger on tickets before Tuesday night are probably having buyer’s remorse Wednesday — especially one fan who purchased two courtside tickets for $24,781 a piece — adding up to an astounding $49,562. Before Tuesday night, one couldn’t purchase tickets in the 100 level for less than $1200; now, 100-level seats are going for as low as $253 — a 78% discount for those who waited.

In order to understand the breaking trade news delivered by The Athletic's Shams Charania, we need to know what happened last night during halftime of the ...

[LeBron James](https://www.marca.com/en/basketball/nba/los-angeles-lakers/2023/02/08/63e3debb22601d42668b461c.html) was the main story of the night, which may be a reason this story was mostly ignored. D'Angelo Russell was an All-Star in 2019 and his performances have the Minnesota Timberwolves in ninth place of the Western Conference. But ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported coach Darvin Ham and [Russell Westbrook](https://www.marca.com/en/basketball/nba/los-angeles-lakers/2023/02/05/63df815a22601df32f8b45ad.html) had a heated argument right before halftime of the game. [Lakers](https://www.marca.com/en/basketball/nba/los-angeles-lakers.html?intcmp=MENUPROD&s_kw=en-nba-los-angeles-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. Considered one of the 2015 Class most talented players, Russell eventually left to play for the Brooklyn Nets' exciting project in 2017. Ongoing discussions have included Utah's Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt as part of the potential three-team deal to the Lakers, sources said.

With the Lakers outside of playoff position just before the trade deadline, the organization is reportedly in talks over a major deal that would land a trio ...

Although they couldn't imagine a time where Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was not No. 1 on the list, several standouts from L.A.'s 1980s teams support the NBA's new ...

“If you took away his sky-hook, he would spin the other way for turnaround jump shots. “If you took away his left shoulder, he would just pivot and go the other way,” Thompson said. The only way you might be able to get it is if you got behind him. LeBron is the greatest from this era. Kareem is the greatest from my era. “He had the size and talent to step right into the NBA, and he immediately started to have his effect. “We always thought he was strange with doing yoga,” Thompson said. “Magic was screaming at me to get him the ball,” McAdoo said, chuckling. “Kareem is the greatest from my era. But they weren’t staying as long as 38 or 40 years of age to chase the record.” You have to give him credit for the way he’s played to last and dominate.” So did Magic Johnson, who hugged James shortly after he broke Abdul-Jabbar’s all-time NBA scoring record in the third quarter.

Russell Westbrook's time with the Los Angeles Lakers may be coming to an end, and a familiar face may be back on his way to the Purple and Gold.

That may be a better fit than Russell was, and Conley has plenty of postseason experience from his time on the Memphis Grizzlies and Jazz. While Russell hasn't quite lived up to the expectations that come with his draft position and has yet to find his way on a serious contender, there are some things to like about his game. His shooting alone would be a breath of fresh air for a Los Angeles squad that is 26th in the league in three-point percentage at 33.8. He is a ball-dominant playmaker, but he can't fully lean into that with LeBron James and Anthony Davis on the floor. go to the Timberwolves and D'Angelo Russell sent to Los Angeles. to Minnesota and Russell Westbrook to Utah.

LeBron James broke the NBA's all-time scoring record in the third quarter of the Lakers loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Los Angeles. On hand for the ...

The Los Angeles Lakers, Utah Jazz and Minnesota Timberwolves are finalizing a three-team trade ahead of the NBA's Feb. 9 deadline, per ESPN's.

While he's had an up-and-down season, Russell averaged 17.9 points, 3.1 rebounds and 6.2 assists in 54 games for Minnesota this season while shooting 46.5 percent from the floor and 39.1 percent from deep. As for the Jazz, they get a primary ball-handler in Westbrook, who had been playing as L.A.'s sixth man this season. Additionally, Toscano-Anderson and Jones give Utah some more depth at small forward and center. The Timberwolves are also adding Alexander-Walker for depth at shooting guard. Adding Beasley gives the Lakers some more depth at shooting guard. some more depth on the wings. Westbrook averaged 15.9 points, 6.2 rebounds and 7.5 assists in 52 games with the Purple and Gold while shooting 41.7 percent from the floor and 29.6 percent from deep. He averaged 6.3 points, 1.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 36 games for the Jazz this year while shooting 48.8 percent from the floor and 40.2 percent from deep. As for Vanderbilt, he gives L.A. In 52 games with Utah this season, he averaged 8.3 points, 7.9 rebounds and 2.7 assists while shooting 55.6 percent from the floor and 33.3 percent from deep. Additionally, "Minnesota gets 2024 lesser of Washington-Memphis second round pick and 2025 and 2026 second-round picks via Utah," per Utah is landing Russell Westbrook and L.A.'s 2027 top-four-protected first-round pick.

D'Angelo Russell is heading to L.A., but the other two pieces bound for the Lakers could be the real key here.

He also doesn’t need the ball in his hands as much as Russell did, so it allows [Anthony Edwards](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/anthony-edwards-od38ONt5aEAWM6H0/) to have the ball more. They can figure out a buyout and let him go sign wherever wants to take a chance on him ( [maybe L.A.’s other team?](https://twitter.com/LawMurrayTheNU/status/1623495680307396608)) He would do more of what [Donovan Mitchell](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/donovan-mitchell-c5XmTqu40nNV02JE/) couldn’t and find the passing angles or passing gumption to send that thing into the big man. [Rudy Gobert](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/rudy-gobert-HoB7w4Z5ROZnzHO4/), often as the guard who had no problem passing to him. He’s a 6-foot-6 wing with good playmaking skills, and he’s shot the ball well this season in limited minutes. Russell’s role would be to run the offense when James isn’t on the floor and knock down shots whenever a defense swarms James and [Anthony Davis](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/anthony-davis-YhDofdcmUKoYKV18/). Back when the Jazz were trying to compete on a grander scale, they played way better basketball with Conley on the court, and that was a pretty deep and loaded team (even though they faltered in the postseason). Minnesota would get Mike Conley Jr., [Nickeil Alexander-Walker](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/nickeil-alexander-walker-HdXueFndMt2cxLGS/) and three second-round picks in the deal, and the Jazz would receive [Russell Westbrook](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/russell-westbrook-6Eb0XPY16UzzJWbc/) and highly coveted draft compensation. I would wager Conley starts seeing more of that type of impact on/off the court with a team like Minnesota that is hoping to be far more competitive and successful than this current Jazz team. [LeBron James](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/lebron-james-dxRvkEThnxpMbhcr/) on the floor, but he was not always the primary point guard with Minnesota. Even if Russell is more of a flop, having way more of a playoff rotation with these guys in the mix does constitute a significant upgrade. Russell has been brutal for the Wolves this season as he tries to capitalize on a contract year.

The Lakers have agreed to a deal to land point guard D'Angelo Russell in a three-team trade involving the Timberwolves and Jazz, sources said.

His 41.7% shooting is in the bottom 10 among players averaging at least 12 field goal attempts this season. Westbrook can still fill up the stat sheet in his 15th NBA season; he's one of just six players to have at least four triple-doubles this season. He is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer. 2 overall by the team in the 2015 NBA draft and played two seasons for Los Angeles before being traded to the ends less than two years after the Lakers acquired the former MVP in the hopes of vaulting the franchise back into title contention. [Donovan Mitchell](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/3908809/donovan-mitchell) and [Rudy Gobert](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/3032976/rudy-gobert) era in Utah and has helped lead the Jazz to a surprising spot in the play-in race. He's also finishing at an elite rate -- his 65.4% shooting on layups and dunks this season ranks in the top 10 among guards (minimum 125 field goal attempts). If the Lakers' pick to the Jazz is not conveyed in 2027 -- if it falls into the top four -- the pick immediately converts to a 2027 second-round pick, sources told ESPN's Zach Lowe. [LeBron James](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/1966/lebron-james) and [Anthony Davis](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/6583/anthony-davis) led to the Lakers missing the postseason last year and have them in danger of doing the same this season. This will be Russell's second stint with the Lakers. Westbrook's tenure in L.A. [Los Angeles Lakers](/nba/team/_/name/lal/los-angeles-lakers) have agreed to a deal to land [Minnesota](/nba/team/_/name/min/minnesota-timberwolves)'s [D'Angelo Russell](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/3136776/dangelo-russell), [Malik Beasley](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/3907822/malik-beasley) and [Jarred Vanderbilt](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/4278077/jarred-vanderbilt) in a three-team trade also involving the [Utah Jazz](/nba/team/_/name/utah/utah-jazz), sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

The Lakers are trading Russell Westbrook to Utah in three-team deal that sends Mike Conley to Minnesota and former No. 2 pick D'Angelo Russell to L.A..

The Lakers traded him to Brooklyn after just two seasons, and the Nets dealt him to Golden State as part of the deal that allowed the Nets to sign Kevin Durant. Russell was on the move again in 2020 when Golden State traded him to Minnesota in the deal that sent Andrew Wiggins to the Warriors. He wasn’t a fit alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis with the Lakers missing the playoffs last season, resulting in coach Frank Vogel’s dismissal, and the Lakers are just 25-30 and in 13th place in the Western Conference this season. Russell returns to the Lakers, the team that drafted him with the No. The Westbrook experiment never quite yielded the results the Lakers sought when they acquired him from Washington in the summer of 2021. The Lakers will also get Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt from Utah.

The Lakers are reportedly trading Russell Westbrook to Utah and reacquiring guard D'Angelo Russell from Minnesota in a three-team, eight-player deal.

The Wolves eventually acquired Russell at the deadline in February 2020 and teamed him with his draft-class pal, Karl-Anthony Towns. The 35-year-old Conley is averaging 10.7 points and 7.7 assists in his fourth season with Utah. The Russell-Towns pairing never really took off, in part because of injuries for each player that often kept them from being on the court at the same time. His style on both ends of the court also could complement James and Davis better than Westbrook, although the Lakers will have little time to figure it out. The 34-year-old Westbrook is making about $47m in the final year of his contract. The Lakers fell to 25-30 on Tuesday while

Westbrook, a nine-time All-Star, would head to Utah after not fitting smoothly with LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Minnesota's D'Angelo Russell will return ...

He is a more traditional point guard than Russell and may fit better next to Anthony Edwards, the [third-year guard](https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/e/edwaran01.html) who has emerged as a franchise player for the Timberwolves. The Lakers traded him to the Nets in 2017, before his third season. Russell’s replacement in Minnesota would be Conley, who started 42 games at point guard for the surprisingly resilient Jazz this season. The Jazz will mark Westbrook’s fifth team in five years, an unusual level of movement for a former M.V.P. The Washington Wizards traded Westbrook to the Lakers before the 2021-22 season, giving the Lakers high hopes that he would be part of a so-called superteam with LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Only months into the 2019-20 season, Golden State traded him to the Timberwolves, where he played alongside his close friend Karl-Anthony Towns. The Westbrook trade will also send to the Jazz forward Juan Toscano-Anderson, center Damian Jones and a first-round pick in the 2027 draft. Crucially for the Lakers, he will provide another shooter as they attempt to salvage their season: He is shooting 39.1 percent from deep this season. That, along with his below-average perimeter shooting, sunk the chances of him fitting with James and Davis. Westbrook averaged 16.2 points, 6.1 rebounds and 7.7 assists per game off the To acquire Westbrook, the Lakers traded multiple players who were crucial to their championship run in 2020. But in Los Angeles, Westbrook struggled to adjust to coming off the bench and not being the primary ballhandler.

Impatience is apparently a virtue for a handful of NBA teams. Sunday, the Dallas Mavericks and Brooklyn Nets agreed on a Kyrie Irving trade.

and alongside the league's all-time leading scorer has to be intriguing. The Jazz have drastically outperformed expectations to this point of the season. And in the same campaign, Conley threw [100](https://www.pbpstats.com/assist-combo-summary/nba?Season=2021-22&SeasonType=Regular%2BSeason) assists to the big man, more than twice as many as the next-highest teammate. And of course, D-Lo isn't the only player headed to the Lakers who'll help. Sure, there has to be some personal responsibility for his game, but L.A.'s front office should've known it was acquiring someone who'd been in the league and dominated the ball since 2008. The opportunity to play for L.A. This deal signifies that the team isn't ready to cut bait on him, though. Everything since has been underwhelming, at best, though there's still some time before the deadline. But the fit with him, LeBron James and Anthony Davis has been awful from the jump—as most predicted. Both of those numbers would be single-season career highs for Westbrook, and he's nowhere near those marks in 2022-23. Sunday, the Dallas Mavericks and Brooklyn Nets agreed on a Kyrie Irving trade. The obvious winner here is L.A., but it's not the only one.

Here are our instant grades for the three-team blockbuster that beefs up the Lakers' playoff chances.

This deal reunites him with Rudy Gobert after the two starred on the Jazz the last few seasons. The Clippers and Bulls are if it falls into the top-4 -- the pick immediately converts to a 2027 2nd round pick, sources say. At the time of this trade, Utah would enter the lottery at No. It’s pretty hard to believe Jazz top executive Danny Ainge didn’t get the Lakers to unprotect the pick. Utah’s relative success this season was always a nice surprise, but it didn’t help the franchise achieve their long-term goals. It’s remarkable the Lakers were able to upgrade three rotation spots while giving up just one future first round pick five years from now that is still protected inside the top-4. 2 overall in the 2015 [NBA Draft](https://www.sbnation.com/nba-draft) — gives the Lakers a guard with a dribble-pass-shoot skill set even if there have long been questions about his defense and scoring efficiency. 13 in the Western Conference. [Los Angeles Lakers](https://www.silverscreenandroll.com) finally pulled off the trade they have been waiting to make all year. The only question is if they waited too long to make it with the team currently at 25-30 overall and No.