Russell Westbrook trade grades: Lakers add depth, Timberwolves snag point guard and Jazz look toward future

The Lakers got help for LeBron James, the Timberwolves changed point guards and the Jazz got worse on draft picks.

On Wednesday night, the NBA witnessed a mega three-team deal that involved many moving parts.

• Lakers receive: D’Angelo Russell, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Malik Beasley
• Timberwolves receive: Mike Conley Jr., Nickeil Alexander-Walker, 2024 second-round pick swaps, 2025 and 2026 second-round picks
• Obtain Jazz: Russell Westbrook, Juan Toscano-Anderson, Damian Jones, 2027 First Round Election

What grade did each of these teams receive? Let’s break down the deal from every angle.

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Lakers Trading Class: A-

Westbrook was thrilled for the sixth Man of the Year award, but it was clear from Day 1 that he wasn’t a good fit alongside James and Anthony Davis. The score he earned was due to poor efficiency, his jump shot had completely failed him, and his defensive efforts were inconsistent.

Russell is a better fit for what this team is looking for. He’s not the same player he was in his first stint with the Lakers. He’s improved his 3-point shooting by 39.1 percent this season. That’s where he’ll bring the most utility, as the Lakers are currently ranked 29th in 3-point matches and 26th in 3-point percentages.

Beasley isn’t as big a name as Russell, but he could be just as important to the team. While not a great defender, he is a great 3 point shooter. He’s averaged a whopping 11.5 tries per 36 minutes, the highest mark in the entire league.

Vanderbilt isn’t a great shooter like these two, but he can try wide open on occasion. Where he will bring a lot of value is as a switchable and chaotic defender who can hit the offensive glass. He’s also a great athlete who should benefit enormously from James’ passing acumen.

This isn’t the home run trade that many Lakers fans might have been looking for, but the team’s biggest problem was depth. They added three good rotation pieces before the deadline – or four if you count Rui Hachimura.

Is it enough for a championship run? Maybe not, but the Lakers have developed into a much better team without sacrificing too much.

D’Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley, Jarred Vanderbilt contract details

Russell is in the final year of his contract and is making $31.4 million this season. He will be an unrestricted free agent this summer.

Beasley will earn $15.5 million this season and has a $16.5 million club option next season.

Vanderbilt will make $4.3 million in 2022-23 and $4.6 million in 2023-24.

Trade class Timberwolves: B

Wolves traded Russell for Andrew Wiggins at the close of trading three years ago. Since then, Wiggins has found a perfect role with the Warriors, and Russell has been more of a mixed bag.

He had good moments quartering the Wolves’ offense and firing the ball well over the arc. But he also disappeared from games sometimes. Russell was to become a free agent. So if he wasn’t in the Wolves’ plans, it makes sense to leave him now.

Conley’s best days are behind him. Once a top defender, he’s lost a step. Nevertheless, Conley should give the wolves more stability. They needed someone who could add more organizing principles and Conley can do just that. And the train compensation is a nice bonus.

Mike Conley Jr. contract details

Conley is paid $22.7 million this season and has a $24.4 million partially guaranteed contract for the 2023-24 season.

Jazz trading grade: B

The Jazz gets worse with this trade. As they are currently set up, they are a classic regular season high flyer that would struggle in a playoff environment. They need a star to make some real noise on the next level and they positioned themselves to go and get one.

At the time of trading, the Jazz were 27-28 and 10th in the west. With the conference being so packed, there’s a good chance they’ll fall into the lottery and have at least a percentage chance of landing Victor Wembanyama, Scoot Henderson, or some other top prospect. Westbrook doesn’t help them as he is likely to be bought out.

Also, and more importantly, jazz has positioned itself for the top spot when Kevin Durant or Luka Doncic ask questions in the years to come. With the Lakers’ incoming pick, they have 15 first-round picks over the next seven drafts and will also have up to $60 million in cap space. per ESPN’s Bobby Marks.

Russell Westbrook contract details

Westbrook is in the final year of his contract and is making $47.1 million this season. He will be an unrestricted free agent this summer.