RUSSELL WESTBROOK JOINED LeBron James and Anthony Davis on the Los Angeles Lakers in a blockbuster NBA trade deal with the Washington Wizards according to multiple reports on Thursday.
The 32-year-old guard joins playmaker James and dominant big man Davis on the 2020 NBA championship squad with hopes of a “Big Three” lineup making the Lakers a title threat in 2022.
The deal as reported by ESPN, USA Today and The Athletic sends Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope plus the 22nd pick in Thursday’s NBA Draft to the Wizards for Westbrook and two future second-round NBA Draft picks.
Westbrook, who grew up in suburban Los Angeles, averaged 22.2 points, 11.5 rebounds and 11.7 assists a game for the Wizards last season and confirmed his departure on Twitter.
“Thank you DC! You welcomed my family and I with open arms from day one,” Westbrook tweeted. “Everyone from the front office, to the training staff, the coaches, my teammates, and the fans. I’m grateful y’all took a chance on me and supported me every step of the way.
“It didn’t take long to make a home in DC, and I will forever be grateful and appreciative of my experience with the organization.”
Westbrook was the 2017 NBA Most Valuable Player with Oklahoma City. He played for the Thunder from 2008 through 2019, was traded to Houston and then traded again last December to Washington, where he helped the Wizards reach the playoffs for the first time since 2018.
Nine-time NBA All-Star Westbrook, who won Olympic gold in 2012 at London, has led the NBA in assists in three of the past four seasons and was the NBA scoring champion in 2015 and 2017.
Last May, Westbrook passed Oscar Robertson for the most career triple-doubles — double digits in three statistical categories in a game — in NBA history, a mark now at 184.
In 2017, Westbrook set a record with 42 triple doubles in a season and joined Robertson as the only players to average a triple double for a full season — a feat he managed in three of the next four seasons as well.
James, 36, has been part of Big Three lineups on NBA championship squads with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami and Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love in Cleveland.
The Lakers won the 2020 NBA crown, James capturing his fourth career title, but they were ousted by Phoenix in the first round of this year’s playoffs.
Los Angeles used the 22nd pick of the draft to select University of Kentucky forward Isaiah Jackson, but if terms of the deal are correct, Jackson will be bound for Washington.
The Wizards add veteran talent from the Lakers around star guard Bradley Beal and opened salary cap room for free agency moves as new coach Wes Unseld Jr. takes charge in Washington.
Harrell opted into his contract for next season to help secure the deal.
Westbrook is playing on a five-year contract worth $206.8 million that he signed with the Oklahoma City Thunder. It would pay him $44 million next season with Westbrook having a contract option for the following year.
The42 Rugby Weekly / SoundCloud
Bernard Jackman, Murray Kinsella and Gavan Casey discuss Rassie’s Vimeo antics and look ahead to the second Lions-Springboks Test.
Brilliant article. Good man.
Really enjoyed that. Thank you. Watched Pat a lot back in the day and he was a fabulous footballer. Excellent golfer also. Thanks again.
In fairness, these long-read articles on former League of Ireland players tend to be very good, if League of Ireland is your thing. But any chance of the 42/Journal ever doing the same with former GAA and/or rugby players with equally interesting stories to tell?
@Jumperoo: ahhh now one LOI article a fortnight about something very rare (ie successful sides) aint gonna break the GAA monopoly on the 42. The interesting part of European games too might have more a pull then the all ireland aspect of the GAA story
Excellent article. I worked with Pat for over 20 years in John Player and never heard those stories. He is an amazing character and So modest. I’m delighted to say we remain good friends although both now retired and living miles apart
Superb story, what a career, really nice to read about what an impact Eoin Hand had on Irish football too. Keep up the good work.
These articles are outstanding… well done the journal.
Pat is a very modest guy ! I played against pat when he played for Wembley in cals park , he was a great lad and his brother in law was a great Wembley player also , who imo should have played league of Ireland football , but the bookmaker job took over lol , so many old memories of that era . Good luck with the golf pat , a legend .
Another brilliant and interesting write up.Pat Nolan may not be a name that is remembered much outside Limerick but in Limerick city,and county,he’s very fondly remembered as a player who would do everything possible to help Limerick win.He is a thorough gentleman as well and fantastic company to be with.I’m delighted that the 42 also thought that he deserved his own write up as they are probably the only ones who could have persuaded Pat to tell some of these stories.
Great article, brought back some happy memories of heading to the Markets Field as a young teenager to watch that great Limerick United team play.
Superb article. As a limerick man too young to remember these days I really enjoyed this. Thank you!!
Knew Limerick has a good history but nothing like this. Very insightful into the magnificent heights and experiences both Pat and Limerick achieved and it really shows what can happen with sound foundations and quality management anything is possible.
Great article.Pat stayed away from the smokes while Maradonna took the Devils dandruff.
Lovely footballer great career well done Pat!
I’ve had the pleasure of Nolano’s friendship for many years… a truly modest gentleman and a great ambassador for Limerick football. I caddied for Pat when he played in the South of Ireland at Lahinch Golf Club and when you consider that he was a “late starter” he reached a very high standard in a short period of time. Delighted to see his story told by the Journal. Long overdue.
Great story. Pat is a genuine nice man. Showed his talent as a sportsman with Limerick FC and when that was finished gave the Golf his attention and played that game to a very high standard and just as important he honoured and respected the game itself.
That Kevin Fitz story is gas, they were a great outfit.
Superb article, really enjoyed it, well done
Still have my ticket from the Real Madrid game in Lansdowne Rd, great days indeed
Excellent article excellent player
very good storys i remember those days
A great interview Pat.The more I read the prouder I am to have played alongside you with Wembly.You did not play in goals because no one else would you were between the posts because you were GOOD.Now thank God ye were beaten by Real Madrid because if ye had won we would have been beaten in the final by Liverpool.And I do not know where my loyalties would have been in that match.Pat Nolan you are a legend and don’t you forget it.
Another great LOI piece. T
Dead right about the decision to play against Real in Lansdowne – really bugs me when I see Irish clubs taking this option. You never see the opposition doing it.
Lovely interview with a very modest and talented man he left the golf out and he’s very good at that also