Lakers trade Westbrook, acquire Russell and Bamba
In a three-team trade, the Los Angeles Lakers reached a deal to send guard Russell Westbrook to the Utah Jazz and acquire guard D’Angelo Russell from the Minnesota Timberwolves in a deal that also includes Utah sending guard Mike Conley to Minnesota.
The Lakers will also get Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt from Utah.
Minnesota also will receive Nickeil Alexander-Walker and picks, and the Jazz will get Juan Toscano-Anderson and a first-round draft pick from the Lakers.
Then on Thursday the Lakers acquired center Mo Bamba from the Orlando Magic for veteran Patrick Beverley and a second-round pick, a person familiar with the deal told USA TODAY Sports.
The person requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly until the trade is official.
The Lakers continue to rework their roster with hopes of making a strong playoff push in the final two months of the season. Bamba had a career year last season, averaging 10.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, 1.7 blocks and 20 doubledoubles, but this season, his minutes have declined even though his per-36 minute averages are similar to last season.
Warriors re-acquire guard Gary Payton II
Shortly after picking up forward Kevin Knox from the Detroit Pistons in an earlier trade, the Golden State Warriors sent Knox and the five secondround picks they also got for trading center James Wiseman in a package deal to the Portland Trail Blazers for guard Gary Payton II, according to ESPN. After winning a title with the Warriors last season, Payton left for Portland in free agency. Given the direction of the Warriors’ season and Steph Curry’s injury, they jumped at the opportunity to bring him back.
Hawks continue dealing with a 2-for-2
The Atlanta Hawks have reached a deal to trade Justin Holiday and Frank Kaminsky to the Houston Rockets for Garrison Matthews and Bruno Fernando, a person familiar with the move told USA TODAY Sports. The person requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly until the trade is official.
Clippers swap Kennard for Gordon; veterans Green, Wall also involved
The Los Angeles Clippers will trade Luke Kennard to the Memphis Grizzlies in a three-team deal that will send Eric Gordon from Houston to the Clippers, a person familiar with the deal told USA TODAY Sports. The person requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly until the deal is official. The Grizzlies will move Danny Green to Houston, and the Rockets also will get John Wall from the Clippers. Both are buyout candidates after the deal is completed.