By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
There will be a new big three in town.
As the off-season moves finally began in the NBA, the Los Angeles Lakers wasted no time and immediately went to work by acquiring all-star point guard Russell Westbrook from the Washington Wizards to team up with LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
In exchange, the Lakers dealt Kyle Kuzma, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Montrezl Harrell, and the no. 22 pick, The Athletic first confirmed.
Aside from Westbrook, the Wizards also agreed to package their 2024 second-round pick and 2028 second-round pick to the Lakers.
It was a season of disappointment for the Lakers after getting dethroned by the Phoenix Suns in the first round of the Western Conference finals.
Losing to the Suns in six games, the Lakers’ front office knew it was time for a roster mix and rebuild as it was also James’ first loss in a first-round series of the NBA playoffs in his whole career and they think it’s time to get some major help.
Westbrook still posted his usual numbers before getting traded to the Lakers as he averaged a triple-double with the Wizards, 22.2 points, 11.7 assists, and 11.5 rebounds.
Forming a 1-2 punch with Bradley Beal in Washington, Westbrook also lost in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs against Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers.
