NBA Rumors: The Los Angeles Lakers have traded D’Angelo Russell and Timofey Mozgov to the Brooklyn Nets
After days of trade rumors, the Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn Nets officially break the seal for the NBA’s offseason.
According to The Vertical’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Lakers have traded D’Angelo Russell and Timofey Mozgov to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Brook Lopez and the 27th overall pick in this week’s NBA Draft.
It was reported earlier this week that the Lakers were attempting to unload one of their bad contracts. In this trade, they attached Mozgov’s three years, $48 million remaining on his contract to Russell’s potential upside to clear the space.
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Adding Lopez, whose contract expires after this season, will help them clear the space that they might need next offseason to add a max contract – perhaps a Paul George, if they don’t trade for him in the next few days, or maybe a LeBron James.
"[via The Vertical]Lakers are trading Tim Mozgov and D’Angelo Russell to Nets for Brook Lopez and 27th pick Thursday, sources say.Lakers shed $54M left on Mozgov deal, Nets get gifted young guard in Russell. Nets needed to flip Lopez expiring contract.For the Lakers, this is longer-term play to clear space for Paul George and LeBron James pursuit. Lonzo Ball on way at No.2"
The Nets get rid of Lopez’s expiring contract and add a player that probably hasn’t even begun to tap his true potential in Russell.
Even though Brooklyn had to absorb Mozgov’s contract, it’s something that the franchise has a luxury to do – or has to do, considering it has little-to-no assets on the roster.
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This is a move that will both benefit the Nets and Lakers both in the short-term and long-term. For the Lakers, this could be the first of many moves them make this offseason.