NBA: A mega-trade on draft night sets up a super-team in Los Angeles as Westbrook joins the Lakers

Los Angeles, California - The Los Angeles Lakers made just as much news as the NBA Draft itself on Thursday night as they agreed to a blockbuster deal to acquire one of the league's best all-around players.

Russell Westbrook, formerly of the Washington Wizards, will join the LA Lakers next month.
Russell Westbrook, formerly of the Washington Wizards, will join the LA Lakers next month.  © IMAGO / ZUMA Wire

Russell Westbrook (32) will be an LA Laker this summer, joining the likes of fellow superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

They now appear primed to take the Lakers back to the NBA’s elite going into the upcoming season.

The deal was made as part of a three-team transaction that sent to the Washington Wizards Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and the 22nd pick in Thursday night's NBA draft.

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Washington then dealt the rights to that pick to the Pacers in exchange for guard Aaron Holiday.

After getting bounced out unexpectedly by the Suns in the first round of this past year’s playoffs, it was obvious to everyone in the front office that some changes were necessary.

In his one year with Washington this past season, Westbrook saw an early exit of his own when the Wizards fell to the 76ers, also in the first round.

The opportunity arose for Westbrook, and the Lakers jumped at the nine-time All-Star and former MVP.

Westbrook brings with him an overall game that has made history over the course of his 13 NBA seasons.

He has averaged a triple-double for a season four times, most recently this past season. And he’s just as much a playmaker as his new teammate LeBron is, but in a slightly smaller frame, making double the trouble for opposing defenses.

This blockbuster deal must wait until August 6 to be official, when the league’s salary cap is confirmed and all the associated figures are calculated.

Cover photo: IMAGO / Icon SMI

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