Lakers: Fans React to LA Bringing Back D’Angelo Russell Via Trade

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A day before the trade deadline, the Los Angeles Lakers made a big move to bring back a familiar face.
On Wednesday, the Los Angeles Lakers finalized a three-team deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Utah Jazz. Los Angeles is sending Russell Westbrook and a lightly protected 2027 first-round pick to the Jazz. In return, the Lakers pick up D’Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley, and Jarred Vanderbilt in a trade sending Mike Conley to the Timberwolves, as well.
With this trade, Damian Jones and Juan Toscano-Anderson are also departing from Los Angeles.
Russell is back where it all started after he was initially selected by the Lakers as the No. 2 overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft.
After ESPN insider Adrian Wojnarowski dropped a Woj Bomb on Twitter, fans reacted to the news of having the All-Star guard return to the Lakers.
This is huge for the Lakers, Pelinka got it done without giving up too much.
— Tc "The Sports Guy " (@TcTheSportsGuy1) February 9, 2023
PELINKA pic.twitter.com/OcQnIEFwPr
— J (@JaimeMorales) February 9, 2023
After losing some hope in the front office after fans saw Kyrie Irving go to the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday, Laker fans were very satisfied to find out that general manager Rob Pelinka made a significant trade.
Wow, Lakers absolutely got a haul.
— Austin Swaim (@ASwaim3) February 9, 2023
That’s actually a solid deal for the Lakers. Didn’t give up much and got a lot in return. Let’s see how this works out 👀
— Kaleb Earls (@K_Earls32) February 9, 2023
Russell comes back to the team, providing great shooting ability. With the Timberwolves this year, the 6-foot-4 guard averaged 17.9 points. Let’s not forget... the 26-year-old has ice in his veins!
— Power DF (@PowerGotNow) February 9, 2023
The goat is back in the purple and gold! From 2016!! pic.twitter.com/Vc38BpfuaW
— clayton 🗣💯📋 (@claytonj_19) February 9, 2023
With the addition of Beasley and Vanderbilt, the two also improve the roster with their rebounding skills and size.
Do these pickups push the team to become title contenders now? Some fans quickly jumped to take their stance.
Lakers title confirmed
— Kevin Walsh Jr. (@TheKevinWalsh) February 9, 2023
LAKERS BACK IN THE TITLE PICTURE!!!!! 😭😭😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/fxvOJxv1NW
— Giovanni Rosello (@LuckyGio2) February 9, 2023
Laker fans are loving this move since it is no doubt that the Lakers were the winners of this trade. It may be taking it too far to guarantee the Lakers will win it all now, but things are certainly looking up for the Lakers after a move like this. And they may even have another move in them.

Chloe Clark is a multimedia sports reporter and currently writes for All Lakers, Inside the Dodgers, and Halos Today. She is passionate about storytelling and believes that sports is a microcosm of life. She received her B.A. in Communication Studies and Journalism from Loyola Marymount University in 2021 and her M.S. in Journalism from the University of Southern California in 2022.
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