In the waning hours before the trade deadline, the Los Angeles Lakers shipped off a third of their roster as they look to shore up the team to make a playoff run.
One day after the Lakers traded away Russell Westbrook and two other players in a three-team transaction, the Lakers sent Thomas Bryant to the Denver Nuggets in exchange for Davon Reed and three second-round picks, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported.
“Bryant has given the Lakers some productive and high-energy stretches this season, averaging 12 points and 6.8 rebounds in 21 minutes. Physical addition to Nuggets’ frontline,” Woj added.
A couple hours later, another Lakers trade was announced by Woj, this one sending Laker Patrick Beverley to Orlando for Mo Bamba.
The Thursday transactions likely came as a surprise to the players involved.
Wednesday evening, Beverley posted to Twitter a celebration of the Wednesday trade, which brought to the Lakers D’Angelo Russell, who played his first two NBA seasons in Los Angeles after he was drafted No. 2 overall in 2015.
“It’s been in Ohio as early as the mid-1850s at least, brought in as an ornamental plant because of its unique foliage and white flowers,” Gardner said. “It was actually planted in people’s landscaping, and it has been spreading.”
Beverley and Russell were teammates in Minnesota last season.
“The gang is Back❤️,” Beverley responded to a tweet by ESPN’s “SportsCenter” about the reunion.
In addition to the former MVP Westbrook, Wednesday’s trade sent Juan Toscano-Anderson and center Damian Jones to the Utah Jazz as part of a three-team deal also involving the Minnesota Timberwolves. In return, the Lakers received Russell, Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt.