Will Russell Westbrook thrive in Utah?

October 8, 2021; San Francisco, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Russell Westbrook (0) dribbles the basketball during the first quarter against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

According to Greg Beacham of The Associated Press on Wednesday, there was a three-team blockbuster deal involving the Los Angeles Lakers, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Utah Jazz on Wednesday night. The Lakers are trading triple-double star Russell Westbrook of Long Beach, California, small forward Juan Toscano-Anderson of Oakland, California, center Damian Jones of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and a first round pick in the 2027 NBA Draft to the Jazz. All-Star point guard D’Angelo Russell of Louisville, Kentucky moves from the Timberwolves to the Lakers. All-Star point guard Mike Conley of Fayetteville, Arkansas, Canadian shooting guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker of Toronto, Ontario, and three second round draft picks in 2024, 2025 and 2026 go from the Jazz to the Timberwolves. Finally, power forward Jarred Vanderbilt of Houston, Texas and shooting guard Malik Beasley of Atlanta, Georgia have been traded from the Jazz to the Lakers.

The primary players in this trade are Westbrook, Russell, Conley and Beasley. Westbrook is joining his fifth NBA team after previously being with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Washington Wizards and Lakers. In 52 games this season, he is averaging 15.9 points per game, 7.5 assists per game, 6.2 rebounds per game, a field goal percentage of .417, a three-point percentage of .296, and a free throw percentage of .655. It is interesting that Westbrook only started three games for the Lakers this season. The nine-time All-Star is the NBA All-time leader in triple doubles with 198.

Russell is rejoining the Lakers after being their second overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft. He has also played with the Brooklyn Nets, Golden State Warriors and Timberwolves. An all-star with Brooklyn in 2018-19, this season Russell averaged 17.9 points per game, 6.2 assists per game, and 3.1 rebounds per game. He had a field goal percentage of .465, three-point percentage of .391, and a free-throw percentage of .856.

Conley, who was an All-Star with the Jazz in 2021, is joining his third team. He previously played 12 seasons with the Memphis Grizzlies and four seasons with the Jazz. He is averaging 10.7 points per game, 7.7 assists per game, and 2.5 rebounds per game. Conley has a field goal percentage of .408, three-point percentage of .362, and a free throw percentage of .813.

Beasley is joining his fourth team. He has previously played for the Denver Nuggets, Timberwolves and Jazz. Beasley is averaging 13.4 points per game, 3.6 rebounds per game, and 1.7 assists per game. He also has a field goal percentage of .396, three-point percentage of .359, and free throw percentage of .841.

Westbrook meanwhile is the biggest name in the deal. The future Hall of Famer did not mix in well with the Lakers, just like he did not get along with James Harden during his time in Houston. In August of 2021, I had my suspicions of the chemistry between Westbrook and James, and it was clear they could not co-exist. The situation for Westbrook in Utah could be similar to his time in Washington. He is the centrepiece of the Jazz franchise at the moment. How long he will stay is anyone’s guess.

Who won this deal? It is too early to tell in my opinion. I actually like what the Lakers did here as Beasley and Russell provide Los Angeles with experience and gives Los Angeles a different look in their quest of making the playoffs. Tell us what you think in the comments below.