Dirk Nowitzki has dunked just once all season, so he was darned excited when Stephen Curry tossed that alley-oop.
The slam was fine. The Vince Carter (or, if you prefer, Usain Bolt) celebration was fantastic.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kyrie Irving came out charging in his Dallas debut, keying a big run to open the game and sparking his new teammates in front of a cheering Luka Doncic on the bench.
Irving scored 24 points and the Mavericks never trailed in beating the Los Angeles Clippers 110-104 on Wednesday night.
“It felt good to get this debut out of the way,” Irving said. “It’s just been a long 96 hours, barely any sleep sometimes. It’s the first time I ever got traded in the middle of the season, so it was new for me, but I’m excited that I’m here.”
With Doncic still sidelined by injury, Irving meshed well with his young teammates just three days after the eight-time All-Star was traded from the Brooklyn Nets. He was part of a 13-0 spurt early in the game, scoring eight points on a jumper and back-to-back 3-pointers.
“The most important thing that we stressed as a team was just don’t force the ball to me. We just want to play natural basketball,” Irving said. “You don’t always have to come to me. You can play off me, I can play off the ball, I can cut.”
Irving had four rebounds and five assists in 37 minutes of what amounted to a dress rehearsal before Doncic returns to give the Mavs a powerhouse backcourt. Irving was greeted with cheers and a boy holding a sign welcoming him to the team when he was introduced as part of the starting lineup.
“I’m sure when number 77 gets back it’ll be even more enjoyable to see and play out there,” Irving said.
Early in the fourth, Irving fouled Paul George. A Clippers fan yelled to him, “I love you, but that was a flagrant.” Irving laughed and shook his head no.
Former Clipper Reggie Bullock scored 15 of his 18 points in the first quarter against his old team. All five Dallas starters reached double figures.
Norman Powell scored 24 points and Terance Mann added 21 for the Clippers, whose two-game winning streak ended. George added 20 points. Kawhi Leonard, who had two points in the first half, finished with 18.
Coming off a 4-2 road trip, the Clippers trailed by 19 in the first quarter.
“Ky just had that bounce and that mentality that I’m going to show what I can do and make my presence felt right away,” George said. “You felt it the second they got into their first possession, just his motor.”
The Mavs scored 41 points in the opening quarter while shooting 60% from the floor. They outscored the Clippers 21-9 to start the game, propelled by Irving’s offense.
“He makes things look easy,” Mavs coach Jason Kidd said. “The comfort level he feels with us, you could see it in the game. He is at peace with his basketball game.”
The Clippers made a run at the lead in the third. Leonard ignited a 20-10 spurt by scoring 11 in a row to pull them to 79-78. Josh Green‘s basket kept the Mavs ahead 81-78 going into the fourth.
The Mavs quickly stretched their lead to 10 points in the fourth. The Clippers got within five four times but the Mavs held them off.
The Clippers cut their deficit to 60-52 at halftime after outscoring Dallas 27-19 in the second period.
Leonard had two points and George had 10 in the first half when they combined to shoot 5 of 14.
It took years, starting in 2016 general manager Sean Marks and coach Kenny Atkinson began to turn the Nets from the worst situation in the NBA — a 21-win team that had traded away most of its draft assets — into a playoff roster and culture that, by the summer of 2019, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving wanted to join. Brooklyn jumped at the chance and turned the keys to the franchise over to its superstars, brought in James Harden at great cost and…
Wednesday night the Durant/Irving era and experiment in Brooklyn came to an unceremonious and sudden end, with one playoff series win in four years to show for it.
The Nets are trading Kevin Durant and T.J. Warren to the Phoenix Suns for Mikal Bridges, Jae Crowder, Cameron Johnson, four first-round picks (2023, 2025, 2027, 2029) and one pick swap (2028), according to multiple reports.
Despite how massive a trade this is, it came together quickly in the wake of Brooklyn trading Kyrie Irving to the Mavericks. It was a bold stroke for new Suns owner Mat Ishbia, who has had control of the team for a couple of days but promised more aggressive moves. It caught the players in the deal by surprise.
Omygod lol
— Mikal Bridges (@mikal_bridges) February 9, 2023
The trades of Durant and Irving are a seismic shift for Brooklyn, which entered this season hoping to contend for a title, and that winning would cure the ills of a summer where both superstars had asked for trades (Harden forced his way out a year ago). There wasn’t near enough winning to bridge the chasm of issues with this team. The drama was back from Day 1 as the Nets started 2-6, Irving was suspended over a social media Tweet promoting a film with anti-semitic themes, coach Steve Nash was fired, and the tension between Irving and management never went away (particularly with Irving not getting the max contract extension he wanted). Durant watched all this and had grown unhappy and frustrated with the franchise’s direction.
Between the two trades, the Nets end up with enough picks and quality role players that will interest other teams to start a massive rebuilding project, one that at least starts for Marks in a better place than he was in 2016. But the Nets become a cautionary tale for teams adding talent and forsaking team culture, assuming it will all work out.
Durant to the Suns instantly changes the championship picture in a West where no team has run away with it.
The Suns — with Durant and Devin Booker, Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton — have to be considered one of the favorites in the West. If not THE favorite. Durant changes the balance of power that much (he was playing at an MP-level before a fluke knee injury, averaging 29.7 points and 6.7 rebounds a game. GM James Jones and the front office have work to do rounding out the roster after trading most of their best role players away to land KD, but Phoenix now has star power that few teams in the NBA can match.
This is the definition of a blockbuster trade, one that shifts who we consider contenders in the NBA.
Things are going to get insane in the run-up to the NBA trade deadline, at 3 p.m. Eastern on Thursday. There’s already been a blockbuster Kyrie Irving trade to Dallas, which will spawn other deals, and every team is looking for upgrades large or small. The Lakers made their bold move. What contenders will deepen their bench, and what teams will pivot toward the Victor Wembanyama sweepstakes? We will have all the latest NBA rumors, news, and any deals that get done in one place. It’s going to get wild, sit back and enjoy the ride.
• Interesting note from Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN: With Kevin Durant now in the Western Conference, it could pressure other teams in the conference to up their offers for the Raptors O.G. Anunoby or others who might help defend Durant.
• Yes, with Durant and Irving out the door the Nets have been talking to teams about a possible Ben Simmons trade, according to Ian Begley of SNY.TV. Good luck with that. After Simmons recent play, NBC Sports was told by a source there is no market for him and the Nets would need to attach a sweetener to get a deal done.
Suns receive: Kevin Durant
Nets receive: Mikal Bridges, Jae Crowder, Cameron Johnson, four first-round picks (2023, ’25, ’27’ and ’29) plus one pick swap in 2028)
Analysis: HOLY S$%@#!
When Kyrie Irving was traded to Dallas, any chance of the Nets contending for a title this season walked out the door with him (despite the Nets publicly posturing they would try to build a winner around Durant). The expectation was that KD would put his trade demand back on the table over the summer, when the biggest deals tend to get done.
Not this time. New Phoenix owner Mat Ishbia said his Suns would be aggressive — and were they ever, pulling off an all-time move at the trade deadline.
Durant paired with Devin Booker, not to mention an aging but still valuable Chris Paul, turns the Suns into possible favorites to come out of the West. As long as the core guys can stay healthy. The Suns just forced their championship window open for a couple of more seasons with this trade, although the front office has work to do rounding out the roster.
In Brooklyn, the Durant and Kyrie Irving experiment ends in rapid fashion, unable to survive the weight of its own expectations, combined with injuries and the distractions of the circus it became. In the last two days, with this trade and the Irving trade, the Nets have restocked their draft assets and turned this into a rebuilding project, but one that gets a jump start.
Raptors receive: Jakob Poeltl
Spurs receive: Khem Birch, protected 2024 first-round pick, two future second-round picks
Analysis: About the Raptors being sellers at the deadline… they might be buyers, instead.
This a move that signals Toronto is about to move away from the “everyone can switch everything” lineups where four starters were between 6’5″ and 6’9″, instead bringing in a traditional center in Poeltl who can provide rim protection and bulk inside the Raptors have lacked defensively, plus set picks and roll to the rim providing some vertical spacing on offense. It’s a good fit. It’s also a homecoming for Poeltl, who the Raptors drafted, developed then sent to San Antonio in the Kawhi Leonard trade.
The Spurs keep racking up good draft capital for their rebuild. The question is what are the protections on those picks, we do not have those details yet.
Knicks receive: Josh Hart
Trail Blazers receive: Cam Reddish, Svi Mykhailiuk, protected first-round pick
Analysis: Knicks fans, Jalen Brunson‘s reaction to finding out the news should tell you all you need to know.
@jalenbrunson1 post jersey retirement ceremony finding out @joshhart was traded to the @nyknicks pic.twitter.com/bffT3HFzaA
— 🏀Nova Hoops (@Capj1344) February 9, 2023
Reddish was out of Tom Thibodeau’s rotation (it felt like he was out from Day 1), Hart is a rock-solid role player who can hit twos, defends, and helps at the guard spot the moment he walks in the door. He also has the league’s funkiest contract for next season: $12.9 million with player option but also non-guaranteed (either side could walk away). Hart was on the floor warming up for the Trail Blazers pregame when the news came down, he dapped up teammates and headed back to the locker room.
The big question: What are the protections on that first-round pick? Reddish is worth taking a flier on — and this opens up a lot more minutes for rookie Shaedon Sharpe — but for the Blazers this is about the pick.
• The Knicks and Trail Blazers have talked about a problems swap: Cam Reddish for Josh Hart, reports Ian Begley.
• The Spurs are expressing increasing interest in trading Jakob Poeltl before the deadline, according to Marc Stein. The Toronto Raptors are the most active team in trying to acquire him (a sign they may not be trading everyone away and tearing it down).
Lakers receive: D'Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley, Jarred Vanderbilt
Jazz receive: Russell Westbrook, Juan Toscano-Anderson, Damian Jones, Lakers 2027 first-round pick (1-4 protected)
Timberwolves receive: Mike Conley, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, second-round picks in 2024, 2025 and 2026
Analysis: This is a win for the Lakers, who suddenly look a lot better now than they did to start the season (putting shooting around LeBron James, what a novel concept). Russell is a better shooter than Westbrook (39.1% from 3 this season), and in recent weeks he has impressed playing off the ball as Minnesota turned more of the offense over to Anthony Edwards (a preview of life with LeBron James and Anthony Davis). Plus, Russell is in the final year of his contract, so the Lakers have flexibility this summer (and can re-sign him). Plus, Beasley brings more shooting and Vanderbilt brings versatile defense, is strong on the glass, can hit jumpers if he sets his feet, and is a player a lot of teams had their eye on.
Danny Ainge gets another high-value pick for the Jazz, but they just gave up a lot of assets for it. After the smart moves and big haul’s Ainge got this summer, they should have gotten more for the three good players they sent out. Utah is expected to buy out Westbrook and both the Clippers and Bulls reportedly have already expressed interest.
Conley is more of a pass-first point guard who should fit better in Minnesota than Russell, he can set up Edwards, Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert. He’s the kind of floor general Minnesota needs. There’s a lot of chemistry work to do with the Timberwolves and Conley is an adult-in-the-room veteran who is expensive but might help this roster find its way.
• The Lakers may have found a way to move on from Russell Westbrook after all, a three-team trade that would send Westbrook and a draft pick (likely one of the Lakers first rounders in 2027 or 2029) to Utah, the Jazz would send Mike Conley to Minnesota, and the Timberwolves would send D’Angelo Russell back to the team that drafted him in the Lakers.
Ongoing discussions have included Utah's Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt as part of the potential three-team deal to the Lakers, sources said. Sides are working through pick protections and additional draft compensation too, per sources. https://t.co/DoI0EBOBVq
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 8, 2023
To make the numbers work (Conley makes about $25 million less than Westbrook) Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt need to be thrown in (or other players on the roster). Adrian Wojnarowski says the Lakers and Jazz like the deal and are set, but Minnesota is still talking to other teams about Russell to see if they can find a better deal.
A lot going on in this potential trade, but for the Lakers Russell would be an upgrade over Westbrook at this point in their careers (his game has matured, and would be a good fit next to LeBron James and Anthony Davis). Utah would buy out Westbrook, making him a free agent.
• The Knicks, along with the Cavaliers and Heat, are talking to Portland about a Josh Hart, reports Michael Scotto of Hoopshype. Coaches and front office people around the league love Hart’s versatility and solid play, but he’s going to opt out this summer and be a free agent, whoever trades for him has to be willing to pay up.
• Speaking of Sotto and the Suns, he aso also spoke with Deandre Ayton about what has been a challlenging this season. Here’s what Ayton had to say: “This is more like an adversity type of season for me to show them what type of player I truly am, and me sticking with it and blocking out all the noise and haters, and getting back to the thing I do best, being dominant.”
• One of the hottest names on the trade market right now Jazz big man Jarred Vanderbilt, and the 76ers are at the front of the line according to Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer. The Sixers are looking for versatile depth behind Joel Embiid, and Vanderbilt is absolutely available. The question is price, and you can be sure Danny Ainge in Utah is asking for way too much. The question is will he come down?
• Also from Pompey, Nerlens Noel is likely the only Piston to get traded at the deadline. It continues to look less and less likely Bojan Bogdanovic will be sent to a new home by Feb. 9.
• Teams are still calling the Washington Wizards about Kyle Kuzma, and they are still getting shot down, according to Fred Katz at The Athletic. That’s not a surprise, when the Wizards traded Rui Hachimura to the Lakers, it was a signal they were willing to spend to keep Kuzma, who can be a free agent this summer (and will be). There has been some buzz from other teams they could poach Kuzma, which may or may not be true, but Washington is going to have to pay a lot — and maybe overpay a little — to keep him.
• Lakers coach Darvin Ham and guard Russell Westbrook had a brief but heated argument at halftime of the Lakers’ eventual loss to the Thunder on Monday, reports Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. Nobody was really focused on those two on Tuesday night anyway.
• The Brooklyn Nets took the Mavericks’ trade package for Kyrie Irving in large part because it gave them players who could help them right now in Spencer Dinwiddie and Dorian Finney-Smith. Brooklyn isn’t done, they are working hard at the deadline to find other “win now” players who can help them be a playoff threat with Durant. However, teams interested in trading for KD this summer — and there are a lot of them — are not willing to help Brooklyn out, reports Brian Windhorst of ESPN said on the Hoop Collective podcast. There is a little gamesmanship going on as teams try to force the Nets into a tough spot and clear the path for Durant to demand a trade. Again.
• Add the Raptors to the Pelicans and Timberwolves as teams talking to the Nuggets about backup point guard Bones Hyland. He remains one of the two or three most likely players to be traded at the deadline.
• Speaking of the Raptors, they have talked to the Spurs about a trade for center Jakob Poeltl, according to Marc Stein. As he notes, that’s an interesting move because it is not a “let’s blow this thing up” move, that’s a “let’s retool and win now” move, which makes it less likely the Raptors move someone such as O.G. Anunoby.
• Sources have told NBC Sports that the Raptors are not looking to trade Pascal Siakam (or, at least not at this trade deadline). He is their best player, they either will retool around him or, if they do blow it up (unlikely but possible), they will want the kind of massive deal easier to get in the offseason than at the deadline.
• The Wizards, Raptors, and Celtics also are interested in Poeltl.
• Also from Marc Stein, the Magic are not looking to move Gary Harris, or at least they need to be blown away by an offer. Every young team needs a quality veteran or two in the locker room to teach them how to be NBA professionals, Harris is filling that role in Orlando.
• Eric Gordon has been on the trade block since before the Avengers killed off Thanos (or, it feels that way), but this time it is likely he gets moved. The Suns and Clippers — two teams searching for guard help — are at the front of the line, according to Kelly Iko of The Athletic.
Kings receive: Kessler Edwards
Nets receive: Cash, draft rights to David Michineau (who plays for Napoli Basket in Italy)
Analysis: As noted below when we first mentioned this trade could happen, this is a salary dump by the Nets, who free up a roster spot and $8 million in salary and tax. Edwards had fallen out of the Brooklyn rotation this season, but Sacramento gets a look at a young wing defender, reportedly sending him to their G-League team to get a little run and show what he can do. Edwards, a second-round pick (number 44 overall in 2021 out of Pepperdine), has a $1.9 million player option for next season.
• It’s incredibly difficult to throw in the towel on a No.2 pick, and the Golden State Warriors rarely make in-season trades. However, with the defending champs hovering around .500 — and now without Stephen Curry for maybe a month — Golden State is softening its position on a possible James Wiseman trade, reports Anthony Slater at The Athletic. Same with Moses Moody, a developing young guard who can’t help the Warriors much this season. What are the Warriors looking for? Veterans who can help this season, at just about any position across the board.
• It’s not trade related but passing it along anyway: Kevin Durant will miss the All-Star Game due to his knee injury, the Nets announced. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver will appoint his replacement.
• Also being reported about All-Star weekend: the Trail Blazers’ Shaedon Sharpe has pulled out of the Dunk Contest.
• We are very close to another trade, but it’s another cap space move primarily: The Nets will send second-year forward Kessler Edwards to the Kings in exchange for cash, reports both Shams Charnia at The Athletic and Adrian Wojnarowski at ESPN. The Kings, looking for defense, get a young wing defender they can roll the dice on, while the Nets open up a roster spot for future moves and save $8 million against the tax. Edwards showed some potential as a rookie, but in his second year (on a deeper Brooklyn team) he has been outside the rotation, and not impressed when he has gotten into games. He has a team option for $1.9 million next season. Edwards can veto the trade because of Bird Rights issues but is expected to approve it.
• It’s now official, Mat Ishbia has taken control of the Phoenix Suns organization. We don’t know what kind of owner Ishbia will be, but there is a sense he will spend more willingly and be more aggressive than the Robert Sarver regime – he reportedly is pushing for the team to make a splash at the trade deadline — which is good for Suns fans and the league. Plus, he will clean up the troubles in the organization that pushed Sarver out.
• Kevin Durant and the Nets are talking about the long-term (and likely short-term) direction of the franchise, but Brooklyn is not making its other superstar available to teams, reports Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
In aftermath of Kyrie Irving trade, the Brooklyn Nets and Kevin Durant are having ongoing conversations on the direction of the franchise, but organization has thus far told inquiring teams that they’re not planning to trade him before Thursday’s deadline, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 7, 2023
This provides details and is in line with what sources from other teams have told NBC Sports (and I have reported previously): They are under the impression the Nets are going to try and build a contender around KD this season, maybe including another deal or two, and try to convince him to stay. If Durant ends up on the move, it will be over the summer.
• The backup big man market is one of the most crowded at the trade deadline, but you can add another name to it: JaVale McGee. Dallas is looking to move on, according to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports.
• The Nuggets and Pistons are the teams talking to New York most recently about a Cam Reddish trade, according to Ian Begley of SNY.TV. Reddish remains one of the players most likely to be on the move by Thursday.
• Kyrie Irving practiced with the Mavericks today — he was the first player to the facilities — and is expected to make his debut with the team Wednesday night.
• Interesting note from Jake Fischer at Yahoo Sports: While there are a lot of teams still interested in a trade for Raptors wing O.G. Anunoby — the Pelicans, Grizzlies, Knicks, Pacers, Trail Blazers, Lakers, Suns, and Nets are interested — a number of those teams would prioritize Kevin Durant if he puts his trade demand back on the table this summer. With that, said teams don’t want to give up too much for Anunoby now. The market is getting soft, Anunoby is a favorite of GM Masai Ujiri in Toronto, so maybe he stays put at the deadline.
• It’s far more likely the Raptors trade Fred VanVleet or Gary Trent Jr. at the deadline. VanVleet has become one of the most talked about names in the last few days. That said, the Raptors are listening to offers, at least.
• What are the Celtics looking to do at the trade deadline? Use their $5.9 million trade exception, reports friend-of-the-site Keith Smith.
• Also from Fischer at Yahoo: Mason Plumlee appears to be the Hornet most likely to be traded.
San Antonio receives: Dewayne Dedmon, 2028 Heat second-round pick
Heat receive: Cash
Analysis: This is a salary dump by the Heat, and it cost them a second-round pick. Maimi now has some room under the salary cap and two open roster spots, allowing them to bring in a player — via trade or the buyout market — and convert Orlando Johnson’s two-way contract to full-time, he has played well for them. The Spurs get a second-round pick and are expected to waive Dedmon, making him a free agent.
• After striking out on Irving, the Lakers are reportedly engaged in talks to send Russell Westbrook and both of the first-round picks they can trade (2027 and 2029) to Utah for Mike Conley and Malik Beasley, reports Tim MacMahon of ESPN. While the sides undoubtedly talked, that sounds like a rumor from the Jazz camp. The Lakers have hoarded those picks to swing for a home run, and with Conley declining this season at age 35 — and with a guaranteed $24 million on the books for next season eating up the Lakers’ cap space over the summer — this doesn’t sound like a move the Lakers would suddenly pivot and accept. The Jazz have rebuffed all offers for Conley so far, keeping the asking price high and banking on the desperation of buyers.
• The Chicago Bulls are at least listening to offers for defensive guard Alex Caruso, but they are reportedly keeping the price sky-high — two first-round picks. Don’t expect a deal, while Caruso brings value that’s a star-level asking price.
• This shouldn’t surprise anyone who has watched a minute of Brooklyn Nets basketball this season, but ESPN’s Bobby Marks says Ben Simmons has zero trade value right now. Also, the note on Durant being a summer move was something sources told NBC Sports and we wrote about previously.
A couple of Nets notes from @BobbyMarks42 on @KeyJayandMax:
1. Ben Simmons has no value around the league right now in any potential deal.
2. If the Nets decide to move KD — their return would be greater this summer than it would be before Thursday’s trade deadline.
— Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) February 6, 2023
• If the Miami Heat can’t find a new home for the disappointing Kyle Lowry at the trade deadline, this summer they will return their focus to using his salary in a deal for a disgruntled superstar such as Kevin Durant or Bradley Beal, reports Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. That sounds on brand for the Heat.
• Along those lines, the Washington Wizards plan to keep Beal and re-sign Kyle Kuzma.
• Veteran Furkan Korkmaz has been bumped from his regular spot in the 76ers rotation this season and wants to be traded to a place he can get some run. Philly is looking for a new home for him as well as Matisse Thybulle.
• No, LeBron James is not happy the Lakers missed out on Kyrie Irving, but he’s pivoting to what’s going on today.
“I can’t sit here and say I’m not disappointed on not being able to land such a talent, but someone I had great chemistry with and know I got great chemistry with on the floor that can help you win championships. In my mind, in my eyes. But my focus has shifted now my focus has shifted back to where it should be, and that’s with this this club now and what we have in the locker room.”
UPDATE: And the deal is agreed do, the three sides are on board.
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 pick is protected 1-4, according to the report, and there are now other players involved.
Also in deal: Juan Toscano-Anderson and Damian Jones to Jazz, Nickeil Alexander-Walker to the Timberwolves, sources said.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 9, 2023
This is a win for the Lakers, who give up one pick and get an upgrade at the point and two other players who upgrade their rotation. They are not sudden favorites in the West — the Lakers still sit as the 13th seed at the time of the trade — but if they can get into the postseason with a healthy LeBron James and Anthony Davis this is a team no team wants to face.
Russell Westbrook likely will be bought out by the Jazz and become a free agent. Ainge got what he wanted in Utah, another quality draft asset. Minnesota gets a point guard who is more of a floor general, a pass-first one who can play next to Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns (once he gets healthy) and fit in better.
———————————————————-
There may be a Russell Westbrook trade out there after all.
According to multiple reports, the Lakers are in discussions for a three-team point-gaurd trade that would send Westbrook and a draft pick (one of the Lakers first rounders in 2027 or 2029) to Utah, the Jazz would send veteran point Mike Conley to Minnesota, and the Timberwolves would send D'Angelo Russell back to the Lakers team that drafted him in 2015, plus the Lakers likely would get another Jazz player such as Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt (it’s the only way the numbers work).
Ongoing discussions have included Utah's Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt as part of the potential three-team deal to the Lakers, sources said. Sides are working through pick protections and additional draft compensation too, per sources. https://t.co/DoI0EBOBVq
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 8, 2023
Adrian Wojnarowski says the Lakers and Jazz like the deal and are set, but Minnesota is still talking to other teams about Russell to see if they can find a better deal.
ESPN Sources: Three-team trade is largely hinging on how Minnesota values D’Angelo Russell in potential deal and their return of draft assets. Lakers and Jazz have significant deal structure in place, but Minnesota has been engaged elsewhere on Russell too.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 8, 2023
This trade makes the Lakers better — Russell is a better shooter (39.1% from 3 this season), and he has played well in recent weeks working more off-ball while Anthony Edwards’ role in the offense has increased. Also, Russell’s contract expires after this season, so he doesn’t eat into their cap space.
The Timberwolves would get an adult in the room, a pass-first point guard who is a traditional floor general in Conley. He can work on or off the ball and could run pick-and-rolls with Rudy Gobert or, when he gets healthy, Karl-Anthony Towns.
The Jazz would buy out Westbrook, making him a free agent.
The questions seem to surround protections on the picks as well as if the Timberwolves believe there is a stronger market for Russell. This also could have been leaked by one of the parties hoping to get the deal done in an effort to put pressure on the others to agree to terms.
With the trade deadline a day away, this is one to watch — nothing is certain, but this trade feels like it’s on the two-yard line.
