NBA Trade Rumors: Winners & Losers: Lakers Trade for Russell Westbrook
Written by SOURCE on July 30, 2021
The first blockbuster trade of the NBA offseason was a doozy.
Tantalizing rumors that this transaction might happen first circulated roughly a week ago and it surprisingly came together quickly as the Wizards shipped Russell Westbrook to the Lakers, taking some major shine away from Thursday’s NBA Draft. Los Angeles sent Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Montrezl Harrel, Kyle Kuzma, the No. 22 pick in this year’s draft, and two future second-round picks to Washington to complete the trade.
There’s a brand new big three in Los Angeles as the 32-year-old point guard, the 2017 NBA MVP, joins another new team for the third straight offseason. This time he gets to team up with LeBron James and Anthony Davis as the Lakers instantly upgraded the star power of the league’s most glamorous franchise. While the addition of Westbrook adds a ton of money to the Lakers’ ledger that could inhibit their ability to build around the new trio, it undoubtedly makes Los Angeles the team to beat in the Western Conference despite some holes that currently exist on the roster.
As always with these major NBA transactions, there are winners and losers that need to be highlighted. So without further adieu, let’s dissect what easily could be the biggest trade of the offseason.
