There may be a Russell Westbrook trade out there after all.
According to multiple reports, the Lakers are in discussions for a three-team point-gaurd trade that would send Westbrook and a draft pick (one of the Lakers first rounders in 2027 or 2029) to Utah, the Jazz would send veteran point Mike Conley to Minnesota, and the Timberwolves would send D'Angelo Russell back to the Lakers team that drafted him in 2015, plus the Lakers likely would get another Jazz player such as Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt (it's the only way the numbers work).
Adrian Wojnarowski says the Lakers and Jazz like the deal and are set, but Minnesota is still talking to other teams about Russell to see if they can find a better deal.
This trade makes the Lakers better - Russell is a better shooter (39.1% from 3 this season), and he has played well in recent weeks working more off-ball while Anthony Edwards' role in the offense has increased. Also, Russell's contract expires after this season, so he doesn't eat into their cap space.
The Timberwolves would get an adult in the room, a pass-first point guard who is a traditional floor general in Conley. He can work on or off the ball and could run pick-and-rolls with Rudy Gobert or, when he gets healthy, Karl-Anthony Towns.
The Jazz would buy out Westbrook, making him a free agent.
The questions seem to surround protections on the picks as well as if the Timberwolves believe there is a stronger market for Russell. This also could have been leaked by one of the parties hoping to get the deal done in an effort to put pressure on the others to agree to terms.
With the trade deadline a day away, this is one to watch - nothing is certain, but this trade feels like it's on the two-yard line.
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Reports: Lakers in talks about three-team Westbrook trade with Jazz, Timberwolves originally appeared on NBCSports.com
