The five-team trade involving the Lakers, Wizards, Nets, Spurs and Pacers, headlined by Russell Westbrook (to Los Angeles) and Spencer Dinwiddie (to Washington) is now official, according to press releases from multiple clubs.
The deal began as a two-team trade sending Westbrook from the Wizards to the Lakers, an agreement that was completed around the start of the draft last Thursday. Later that night, the Wizards and Pacers agreed to a deal sending Aaron Holiday that would be folded into the Westbrook blockbuster.
Subsequently, during free agency, Dinwiddie and the Wizards wanted to find a way to get the point guard to D.C. and ultimately convinced the Nets to accommodate a sign-and-trade. The Spurs entered the mix late to accommodate Washington’s salary-dump of Chandler Hutchison.
Here’s the full breakdown of the deal, based on reports to date:
The Nets also generated the most significant trade exception of any team in the deal — it’ll be worth about $11.5 million.
While it was a fairly minor move for Brooklyn, San Antonio and Indiana, the deal will significantly reshape the Lakers’ and Wizards’ rosters for the 2021-22 season. Los Angeles consolidated its depth, acquiring a star player who wanted to team up with LeBron James and Anthony Davis, then filled out its roster in free agency.
The Wizards, meanwhile, traded one star for several depth pieces and managed to replace their old point guard with one who will earn less than half of Westbrook’s salary for the next couple seasons. The deal should increase Washington's cap flexibility while fortifying its bench.
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