Russell Westbrook #4 of the Washington Wizards responds prior to betting the Denver Nuggets at Capital One Arena on February 17, 2021 in Washington, DC.
Will Newton | Getty Images
The Washington Wizards have actually consented to send out super star Russell Westbrook to the Los Angeles Lakers for 3 gamers and what was the number 22 choice in Thursday night’s NBA draft, The Athletic and ESPN have actually reported.
In addition to the first-round choice, the Wizards are getting Kyle Kuzma, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Montrezl Harrell, per the reports.
With the number 22 choice Washington picked Isaiah Jackson, a shot-blocking center out of Kentucky however later on traded him to the Indiana Pacers in exchange for the 31st choice and point player Aaron Holiday – sibling of NBA champ with the Milwaukee Bucks, Jrue.
At 31 the Wizards then picked Isaiah Todd, a 19-year-old power forward who picked pass up college and play in the NBA’s G-League, where he balanced 12.3 points and 4.9 rebounds per video game for the Ignite.
The Wizards are likewise sending their 2024 second-round choice and 2028 second-round choice to the Lakers in addition to Westbrook, who is returning house to California. The Long Beach native played his college ball at UCLA prior to being prepared 4th total in 2008.
Westbrook balanced a triple-double in 2020-21 with 22.2 points, 11.7 helps and 11.5 rebounds in his very first season with the Wizards. It was the 4th time in his profession the point player has actually balanced a triple-double for a season and he presently holds the all-time triple-double record with 184, having overtaken Oscar Robertson (181) in May.
The nine-time All Star, nine-time All-NBA choice and 2017 Most Valuable Player signs up with LeBron James and Anthony Davis on the most recent ‘very group’ in the league. He likewise ends up being the seventh previous MVP to be obtained by the Lakers after Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bob McAdoo, Karl Malone, Steve Nash and James himself.
In return, the Wizards get 3 gamers who integrated to average 36.1 points per video game in 2020-21.
Harrell, who was granted Sixth Man of the Year in 2020, balanced 13.5 in his very first season with the Lakers, while Kuzma balanced 12.9 and Caldwell-Pope 9.7 in their 4th seasons in L.A. All 3 gamers are still in their 20s.
Westbrook joins his 3rd group through sell 3 years – the very first previous MVP to do so – after costs 11 seasons of his NBA profession in Oklahoma City. He holds profession averages of 23.2 points, 8.5 helps and 7.4 rebounds.
A couple of hours after the trade was validated, the 32-year-old required to Twitter to share his gratitude for the Wizards franchise.
“Thank you DC! You welcomed my family and I with open arms from day one,” he composed. “Everyone from the front office, to the training staff, the coaches, my teammates, and the fans. I’m grateful y’all took a chance on me and supported me every step of the way.”
“I’m blessed to have been a part of such a stand up organization. It didn’t take long to make a home in DC, and I will forever be grateful and appreciative of my experience with the organization. Thank you!”
