The Lakers and Wizards are discussing a trade that would send star guard Russell Westbrook to Los Angeles, sources told The Athletic.
The trade would send Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to Washington, sources said. The Lakers’ No. 22 pick in Thursday’s NBA Draft could also be in play.
Westbrook wants a move elsewhere and the Lakers are his preferred destination, sources said.
In 65 games last season, Westbrook, 32, averaged 22.2 points, 11.7 assists and 11.5 rebounds per game and surpassed Oscar Robertson to become the NBA’s all-time leader in triple-doubles. Westbrook, a Los Angeles native who played collegiately at UCLA, is under contract through 2023 with a player option in 2022 ($47 million).
The Wizards made the postseason as the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference this season, closing the campaign by winning 17 of their last 23 games as Westbrook and All-NBA guard Bradley Beal led the roster to a strong finish. Beal is also considering his future with the Wizards.
Kuzma, a 2017-18 All-Rookie selection, won an NBA championship with the Lakers in 2020. Last season, which saw Los Angeles eliminated by the Suns in the first round of the playoffs, Kuzma averaged 12.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.9 assists. He has played for the Lakers for the entirety of his four-year NBA career.
In his lone season with the Lakers, Harrell — the 2019-2020 Sixth Man of the Year — contributed 13.5 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game.
This is a developing story. More to come.
(Photo: Ned Dishman / NBAE / Getty Images)
