The Los Angeles Lakers are “engaged” with the Washington Wizards on a trade that would send Russell Westbrook to the Lakers. Los Angeles would send Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and the No. 22 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft to the Wizards.
The Athletic’s Shams Charania and ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowksi reported the blockbuster on Thursday afternoon, about 2.5 hours before the first pick of the draft.
The Lakers and Wizards are discussing a trade that would send Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope for Westbrook, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. The Lakers' No. 22 pick in the Draft could be in play, too. https://t.co/RQOnlyVnBS
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 29, 2021
The Lakers are near a deal to acquire Washington's Russell Westbrook for Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and a 2021 first-round pick, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 29, 2021
Westbrook quickly became the Lakers’ “primary focus“, per Shams. Marc Stein also reported the Westbrook trade shortly after.
Minutes before, Woj reported that Harrell picked up his $9.7 player option for 2021-22 — crucially, two days before the official deadline — enabling him to be included in a trade package with the Lakers’ first-round pick.
We’ll update this post as more information comes in. But wow!