The Wolves, Lakers, and Jazz are finalizing a monster three-team deal that sees Wolves point guard D’Angelo Russell traded back to the Lakers, the team that drafted him second overall in 2015.
In exchange the Wolves will get Jazz point guard Mike Conley Jr., Jazz small forward Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and three draft picks, while the Jazz will get Russell Westbrook and draft compensation, according to NBA insiders Adrian Wojnarowski and Shams Charania.
ESPN Sources: The Lakers are finalizing deal to land Minnesota’s D’Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt in trade including Mike Conley and picks to Timberwolves and Russell Westbrook and a lightly protected 2027 LA first-round pick to Jazz.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 9, 2023
The Lakers will also receive Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt as part of the deal.
Here’s how the deal currently looks, based on reports.
Wolves get: Mike Conley Jr., Nickeil Alexander-Walker, lesser of Washington-Memphis second round 2024 pick, Utah second-round picks in 2025 and 2026.
Jazz get: Russell Westbrook, Juan Toscano-Anderson, Damian Jones, 2027 LA first-round pick
Lakers get: D’Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley, Jarred Vanderbilt
Minnesota gets 2024 lesser of Washington-Memphis second round pick and 2025 and 2026 second-round picks via Utah, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 9, 2023
Here’s how Russell and Conley compare this season:
- Russell: 17.9 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 6.2 APG, 1.1 SPG, 2.7 TOV
- Conley: 10.7 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 7.7 APG, 1.0 SPG, 1.7 TOV
Conley, 35, is a 15 year veteran that has played for Utah the past three and a half seasons after spending the first 12 years in Memphis, and notably linked up well with Rudy Gobert during his tenure.
The trade clears up some uncertainty for the Wolves at the point guard position as Russell was set to become a free agent this summer. Conley has one more year left on his deal that carries a $24.3 million cap hit.
D'Angelo Russell (personal reasons) Kyle Anderson (back spasms) & Rudy Gobert (groin) are all OUT tonight vs. Jazz.
Jordan McLaughlin (calf) is AVAILABLE on 2nd of a back to back.
— Alan Horton (@WolvesRadio) February 9, 2023
D’Angelo Russell is officially listed as out tonight for personal reasons while Kyle Anderson and Rudy Gobert will also miss tonight’s game due to injury.
Minnesota and Utah are set to tip off at 8pm tonight in Utah.
