The LA Lakers dramatically raised their power at the same time.
According to ESPN reporter Adrian Wojnalowski, the Lakers are making trades with the Utah Jazz and the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Lakers bring in D’Angelo Russell (guard, 193cm, 88kg) from Minnesota, Malik Beasley (guard, 193cm, 85kg) and Jared Vanderbilt (forward, 203cm, 97kg) from Utah.
Instead, Russell Westbrook (guard, 191cm, 91kg), Juan Toscano-Anderson (forward, 198cm, 95kg), and Damien Jones (center, 211cm, 111kg), 2027 first-round tickets (fourth pick protection), head to Utah. Minnesota will receive Mike Conley (guard, 185cm, 79kg) and Nickel Alexander-Walker (guard, 196cm, 93kg) from Utah and three picks for the second round. # Trade Overview Lakers get D’Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley, Jared Vanderbilt Utah Jazz get Russell Westbrook, Juan Toscano-Anderson, Damien Jones, 2027 Round 1 ticket (protection) Minnesota get Mike Conley, Nickel Alexander-Walker, Round 2 Three tickets* *2024 Round 2 picks (lower among Washington and Memphis picks), 2025 Round 2 tickets (via Utah), 2026 Round 2 tickets (via Utah) Why Lakers?
The Lakers have achieved their best performance. Initially, he showed interest in trading Kyrie Irving (Dallas), but there were many uncertainties even after bringing Irving. He even offered both first-round picks the Lakers could use, but they couldn’t pull out a deal. However, through this trade, he strengthened everything from guards to forwards. The expenditure of the nomination right is only one piece with protection conditions. It was the best result.
At the same time, he also disposed of Westbrook, which he wanted so much. A lot went wrong last season when he refused to bench. However, this time he came off the bench and helped, but his performance against the ransom was disappointing. The Lakers have consistently tried to dispose of Westbrook since last offseason, but it was not possible. However, this time, Westbrook was sent out with a single ticket for the first round, and he fully filled his power.
First of all, by bringing in Russell, the backcourt power was increased. The Lakers acquired Rui Hachimura via trade at the end of the last round. While embracing Hachimura, he filled the front court to the fullest. In addition to the existing one-two punch, Hachimura Thomas Bryant and Troy Brown Jr. were added to form a lineup that could form a big lineup. The guard was weak, but he filled the position by adding Russell.
Russell can be hard to see as a complete point guard. But the Lakers can have LeBron James running the game and Dennis Schroeder carrying the ball. That means Russell can be an assistant runner and score hunter, much like James did for Dwyane Wade when he played for the Miami Heat, and Irving for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Russell can be quite helpful.
He started in all 54 games for Minnesota this season. He averaged 17.9 points (.465 .391 .856), 3.1 rebounds, 6.2 assists and 1.1 steals in 32.9 minutes. The average score has declined since the 2019-2020 season, but if the Lakers put down the burden of management and play, I can do my part. He was drafted by the Lakers and spent two seasons there.
If Russell plays as the starting guard, Schroeder will support him from the bench. Also, since Russell can cross both guard positions, he could be with Schroeder. It is also nice to see Beasley’s addition, who can add points from the bench. Beasley averaged 13.4 points (.396 .359 .841), 3.6 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 26.8 minutes per game in 55 games for Utah. He can power up off the bench.
Vanderbilt can also add weight to the frontcourt. With all the tall power including the one-two punch, Vanderbilt can be added to form a diverse lineup. Before the trade, the Lakers had Brown and Hachimura as their starting pitchers, including LeBron James and Anthony Davis. With Bryant and Vanderbilt backing up, the frontcourt composition is much more diverse.
He has consistently been the starting power forward for Utah this season. He appeared in 52 games, starting 41 of them. He posted 8.3 points (.556 .333 .657), 7.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1 steal in 24.1 minutes per game. He stood out in terms of rebounding versus playing time. He filled the height well with his joining, which can add strength to the fight for air supremacy.
It may overlap with Hachimura somewhat, but with him, Davis and the existing center can support the back. Hachimura should be viewed as a big swingman rather than a power forward. He added Vanderbilt, who could function as a full-fledged power forward from inside, to a lineup that would take the pressure off Davis even more. He improved the lineup, which would have been disappointing with only Bryant and Brown.
All players brought in are in their 20s. Last season, the Lakers had an excessive number of players in their 30s, but this season’s two trades are a positive in many ways. Correspondent Brad Turner of 『Los Angels Time』 told the local atmosphere that the Lakers, who have a young gun, are currently encouraging.
Above all, the Lakers have certainly prepared enough space to prepare for the season after. Russell’s contract expires at the end of the season. Beasley’s salary for the upcoming 2023-2024 season is classified as a team option. Vanderbilt is under contract until next season. His annual salary is about $4.7 million. The Lakers can decide whether to fulfill Beasley’s contract, and they can set the team’s plan.
On the contrary, if he received Conley, it was inevitable that his spending would increase next season. However, only James, Davis and Max Christie remain under contract after this season. With the exception of Vanderbilt, as long as the contracts for those brought in are over, they have secured financial liquidity. Adding the contracts of James, Davis and Vanderbilt, the total salary confirmed for next season is about $100 million. why jazz?
Through this trade, Utah received a large number of expiring contracts. He took additional advantage of his first-round ticket by sending Conley out at the same time. Although it is not a complete nomination right, Utah’s exercise is likely to be the 4th priority protection. Utah, which cleaned up its existing powers in the last offseason, accelerated the reorganization by sending out all five players who played as a starter until last season while trading Conley this time.
It may be regrettable that he did not receive the full pick while sending Beasley and Vanderbilt to Conley, but considering that Conley is under contract until next season, it was not easy to get a full draft pick. In other words, it is understood that Utah put more weight on organizing existing players than securing his nomination through this trade.
Spending has also decreased this season. Considering the combined salaries of those who sent them (Conley $22.68 million, Beasley about $15.6 million, Alexander-Walker about $5 million, Vanderbilt about $4.37 million), it was worth taking Westbrook. It is also noteworthy that the contract of Alexander-Walker, which is not helpful right away, is summarized. It also sent them to Vanderbilt, who were tied up until next season. He added strength to financial management by securing a salary cap for the next season.
Right now, Utah doesn’t need Westbrook. He is therefore expected to be terminated or released from his contract. It’s questionable how aggressive he’ll be in getting his contract terminated, but given his spending this season, there’s no room for him to be released to general release. The possibility of contract termination is emerging locally. Westbrook is also likely to want to play for a team looking to make the playoffs. Why Timberwolves?
Minnesota decided to give it a little more strength this season with this trade. It is the intention that Conley, who has both experience and defensive power, will start using the existing big man, starting with Go Bear. Minnesota made a big trade to Utah last summer, bringing in Go Bear. However, the effect compared to the recruitment has not yet stood out. The overlap with Karl-Anthony Towns cannot be overlooked either. 카지노
More than anything, Minnesota is hoping to build a backcourt around Anthony Edwards. Conley, a traditional point guard, may be better than Russell in order to make use of Edwards’ scoring ability. As a result, Minnesota also showed interest in Conley during the season, and eventually traded him out. Gobert and Conley reunited after about half a season.
Conley has appeared in 43 games for Utah this season. He averaged 10.7 points (.408 .362 .813) 2.5 rebounds, 7.7 assists and 1 steal in 29.7 minutes. Since the last 2020-2021 season, the average number of goals has been declining in three seasons. However, his presence on the court is still the same, including the highest average assist since advancing to the NBA. In his mid-thirties or his own experience, he could easily melt away.
Minnesota brought Conley without spending the pick and secured multiple second-round picks, but had to sign Alexander-Walker. However, Alexander-Walker’s contract expires at the end of the season. Even more, the 2nd round ticket can be used as a trade card later. There is still time until the trade deadline, so we have prepared live ammunition to take additional steps.