SALT LAKE CITY — Mike Conley, Jr. and other Utah Jazz players are set to be part of a reported NBA trade involving the Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves.
ESPNs Adrian Wojnarowski reports the teams are finalizing a deal that would send Conley, Jr., Nickeil Alexander-Walker and draft picks to Minnesota in a deal that would return Russell Westbrook, Juan Toscano-Anderson, Damian Jones and a Lakers "lightly protected" 2027 first round draft pick to the Jazz.
Wojnarowski reports the first round pick is protected between selections one through four. Utah now has 15 first round draft picks, some protected, through the 2029 NBA Draft.
Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt would also go to Los Angeles, while the Timberwolves would send D'Angelo Russell to the Lakers. Minnesota would also receive draft picks in the deal, according to the report.
It's believed Westbrook will be bought out of his contract and never actually suit up for the Jazz, similar to when Derrick Rose was acquired and immediately released by Utah in 2018.
The movement comes a day before the NBA trade deadline on Thursday.
Utah is currently sitting in 10th place in the Western Conference with a 27-28 record heading into Wednesday's game against, ironically, the Timberwolves.
