NBA Trades: 3 takeaways from Russell Westbrook Lakers-Wizards trade

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 22: Montrezl Harrell #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers loses possession of the ball against Russell Westbrook #4, Bradley Beal #3 and Deni Avdija #9 of the Washington Wizards during the fourth quarter at Staples Center on February 22, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 22: Montrezl Harrell #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers loses possession of the ball against Russell Westbrook #4, Bradley Beal #3 and Deni Avdija #9 of the Washington Wizards during the fourth quarter at Staples Center on February 22, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) /
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Lakers, Russell Westbrook
Lakers, Russell Westbrook Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

It didn’t take long for a blockbuster trade to take place on NBA draft night when the Los Angeles Lakers swung a deal for Russell Westbrook just as No. 1 pick Cade Cunningham was announced to the Detroit Pistons. The Lakers were in trade rumors for weeks leading up to the draft, and finally found the third star they were looking to pair alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

The Athletic’s Shams Charania was the first to announce the Los Angeles Lakers draft-night splash in acquiring LA-native Russell Westbrook from the Washington Wizards in a three-player deal.

The Los Angeles Lakers and Washington Wizards both look to benefit from the blockbuster draft night Russell Westbrook trade.

Here is how the trade breaks down:

There were rumblings that a Lakers-Westbrook pairing was on the horizon, but much of the NBA world thought a deal with the Sacramento Kings Buddy Hield would be the move of the night for the team in purple-and-gold.

The Lakers had been shopping Kyle Kuzma and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope around the league for the past few weeks, and with an opt-in from Montrezl Harrell, a deal came together that was favorable for both sides.

It was rumored that the Lakers had a shortlist of veteran guards they were looking to add this offseason and the Wizards are still trying to figure out whether or not to go full-rebuild or try and win-now with Bradley Beal at the focal point of everything.

Let’s take a look at three initial takeaways from the blockbuster deal, starting with the Lakers’ new core.