Reports: Westbrook to Jazz in 3-team swap
The Lakers reportedly are trading Russell Westbrook to the Jazz and reacquiring guard D’Angelo Russell from the Timberwolves in a three-team, eight-player deal.
The Lakers are also getting guard Malik Beasley and forward Jarred Vanderbilt from the Jazz, bolstering their core around LeBron James in a bid to jump-start its sputtering season.
The Lakers are sending Juan ToscanoAnderson, Damian Jones and their firstround pick in 2027 to Utah with Westbrook.
The Timberwolves also are getting Mike Conley and Nickeil Alexander-Walker from the Jazz, along with three secondround picks.
Westbrook’s tenure with his hometown team lasted just 130 tumultuous games. The 2017 NBA MVP never thrived with James and injury-plagued Anthony Davis for any significant stretch of time, struggling to mold his possession-heavy game into a more complementary role.
Russell is averaging 17.9 points, 6.2 assists and 3.1 rebounds while hitting a career-best 46.5% of his shots with Minnesota in the final year of a contract paying him more than $31 million this season.
† The Trail Blazers are trading Josh Hart to the Knicks for Cam Reddish, Ryan Arcidiacono, Svi Mykhailiuk and a protected future first-round pick.
† Pelicans forward Zion Williamson is out through the All-Star break. He has not played since injuring his hamstring on Jan. 2 against the 76ers.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL DePaul loses sixth straight
Umoja Gibson and Javan Johnson each scored 18 points, but DePaul suffered its sixth consecutive loss, falling 81-65 to host Villanova. The Blue Demons (9-16, 3-11 Big East) were down 37-34 at the break, but the Wildcats (11-13, 5-8) would outscore them by 13 points in the second half.
Braden Norris had a game-high 25 points, but Loyola suffered a 83-71 loss against Saint Joseph’s at Gentile Arena. A 9-0 run in the second half turned a three-point deficit into a six-point lead for the Hawks (12-12, 6-6 Atlantic 10). The Ramblers (8-15, 2-9) were outscored by 10 points in the second half.
UIC rallied from a 15-point second half deficit to get to within one point with a minute left before falling short in a 68-66 loss to host Southern Illinois. Jace Carter (17 points, nine rebounds) led the Flames. Marcus Domask had a game-high 24 points for the Salukis (19-7, 11-4).
Lance Terry had a game-winning tipin at the buzzer to give host Georgia Tech a 70-68 victory against Notre Dame. The Irish (10-14, 2-11 ACC) were held to 1 of 11 shooting over the final seven minutes and the Yellow Jackets (9-15, 2-12) won despite making only 2 of 8 shots down the stretch.
The UConn women’s team dropped consecutive games for the first time since March 1993 after a 59-52 loss against Marquette.
MISCELLANEOUS 49ers QB Purdy to have surgery Feb. 22
Niners quarterback Brock Purdy will undergo surgery on his injured right elbow on Feb. 22 and should be fully recovered by training camp. Purdy tore the ulnar collateral ligament on the first drive in the NFC title game.
Commanders coach Ron Rivera said Sam Howell will enter offseason workouts as their No. 1 quarterback.
The WNBA is investigating allegations that the defending champion Las Vegas Aces circumvented the league’s salary cap by making under-the-table payments to players.