UPDATE: 3-Team Russell Westbrook Trade Reportedly Being Discussed
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski has reported more details on the current situation.
Via Wojnarowski: "ESPN Sources: Three-team trade is largely hinging on how Minnesota values D’Angelo Russell in potential deal and their return of draft assets. Lakers and Jazz have significant deal structure in place, but Minnesota has been engaged elsewhere on Russell too."
The NBA trading deadline is less than 24 hours away (February 9), so rumors around the league will continue to heat up.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Russell Westbrook has been mentioned in constant trade rumors since the summer and is someone who could end up getting moved.
On Wednesday, Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium reported that the Lakers, Minnesota Timberwolves and Utah Jazz have discussed a potential three-team trade.
Charania's first tweet: "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."
Charania's second tweet: "Ongoing discussions have included Utah's Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt as part of the potential three-team deal to the Lakers, sources said. Sides are working through pick protections and additional draft compensation too, per sources."
The possibility of getting Russell from the Timberwolves would be an excellent move for the Lakers.
He was initially drafted by the franchise with the second-overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft (out of Ohio State) and spent the first two seasons of his career with the in Los Angeles.
The former All-Star is an outstanding shooter and one of the passers in the league, so potentially joining forces with Anthony Davis and LeBron James could make for an exciting big three.
Right now, the Lakers are the 13th seed in the Western Conference with a 25-30 record in 55 games.
As for Conley, he is 35 years old but still a productive point guard who could instantly fit into the starting lineup for the Timberwolves.
The Timberwolves are 29-28 in 57 games, which has them as the ninth seed in the Western Conference.
As for the Jazz, they got off to an excellent start to the season, but after trading Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell over the offseason, it makes sense for them to look to move veterans.
They are 27-28 in 55 games and the tenth seed in the Western Conference.
