Tommy Sheppard began draft day discussing trades that would have built around a pairing of Russell Westbrook and Bradley Beal with the Washington Wizards, but a deal with the Los Angeles Lakers quickly materialized in the hours leading to the start of the draft.

The Lakers were close to the finish line on a trade of Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to the Sacramento Kings for Buddy Hield. The parties and players involved in the trade were surprised to see it fall apart with the Lakers pivoting to the Westbrook trade.

Westbrook reportedly expressed a preference to be traded from the Wizards this offseason with the Lakers as his chosen destination. 

As for Hield eventually going to the Lakers, neither the Wizards or Kings have interest in a sign-and-trade for Dennis Schroder. 

The Washington Wizards could move quickly to acquire Spencer Dinwiddie from the Brooklyn Nets in a sign-and-trade, sources tell Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report.

The deal could be folded into Washington's trade with the Los Angeles Lakers involving Russell Westbrook with Kyle Kuzma or Montrezl Harrell going to the Nets.

Brooklyn also continues to unload the salary of DeAndre Jordan.

Russell Westbrook met with LeBron James and Anthony Davis approximately two weeks ago at the house of James to discuss the possibility of playing together with the Los Angeles Lakers, according to Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times. The Lakers and Washington Wizards agreed to a trade of Westbrook shortly before the draft on Thursday.

Westbrook talked about how his only intention is to return home to Los Angeles and become a champion. James and Davis talked about changing positions, playing more minutes at power forward and center, respectively, to accommodate Westbrook. Sources that spoke with Jovan Buha of The Athletic also indicated that Davis is expected to play more minutes at center next season. 

Westbrook attended Lawndale Leuzinger High School and then two seasons at UCLA. Westbrook will be on his fourth team in four years. Westbrook has two years left on his contract, $44.2 million for next season and $47 million for the 2022-23 season.

Shams Charania and Fred Katz of The Athletic reported that Westbrook formally informed the Wizards of his wish to be traded recently and that he preferred a deal to the Lakers.

Joel Ayayi and Austin Reaves have agreed to Two-Way contracts with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Ayayi averaged 12.0 points, 6.9 rebounds and 2.7 assists during his redshirt junior season with Gonzaga. Ayayi shot 38.9 percent on three-pointers. 

Reaves transferred from Wichita State to Oklahoma in 2018. As a senior, Reaves averaged 18.3 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.6 assists in 34.6 minutes per game.

The Washington Wizards have agreed to trade Russell Westbrook, a 2024 second-round pick and a 2028 second-round pick to the Los Angeles Lakers for Kyle Kuzma, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Montrezl Harrell and No. 22.

Westbrook sought a trade from the Wizards this offseason. Westbrook will now play for his fourth team in four years. 

The Lakers were previously in talks with the Sacramento Kings on a similar deal for Buddy Hield.

While Westbrook will create issues for the spacing of the Lakers, the team has sought additional playmaking around LeBron James.

The Los Angeles Lakers and Washington Wizards are engaged in trade talks involving Russell Westbrook.

Westbrook would like a trade from the Wizards and the Lakers are his preferred destination. Westbrook is signed for two more seasons at $44.2 million and $47.1 million. The Wizards acquired Westbrook from the Houston Rockets last offseason and they made the playoffs as the No. 8 seed after a slow start to the season.

The Lakers would send Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to Washington for Westbrook. The Lakers could possibly also include No. 22.

Westbrook has become the primary focus of the Lakers as he would give them another playmaker alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis. 

The Lakers have also discussed a trade with the Sacramento Kings for Buddy Hield. 

Montrezl Harrell is opting into his $9.7 million player option with the Los Angeles Lakers for the 21-22 season.

Harrell is likely to be included in the Lakers' trade for Russell Westbrook and was previously included in discussions with the Sacramento Kings for Buddy Hield.

Harrell signed a two-year, $20 million deal with the Lakers last offseason.

The Los Angeles Lakers continue to discuss a trade involving Kyle Kuzma for Buddy Hield, but could also pivot to a sign-and-trade scenario with the San Antonio Spurs for DeMar DeRozan.

The Lakers' deal with the Sacramento Kings could hinge on Montrezl Harrell picking up his $9.7 million player option for the 21-22 season.

Kuzma previously played for Gregg Popovich as part of the United States' World Cup team. The Lakers signed Kuzma to a three-year, $40 million extension before the 20-21 season.

The Los Angeles Lakers have increased their offer to the Sacramento Kings for Buddy Hield by including the No. 22 pick in the draft along with Montrezl Harrell and either Kyle Kuzma or Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, sources tell Kevin O'Connor of The Ringer.

"Hield to L.A. now has real traction," writes O'Connor.

Hield has three seasons left on his contract: $22 million next season, then $20.5 million, and then $18.6 million.

Rob Pelinka represented Hield before he joined the front office of the Lakers.

The Brooklyn Nets are interested in trading Landry Shamet this offseason with multiple teams interested.

The Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks and New Orleans Pelicans are each interested in Shamet. The Knicks previously had interest in trading for Shamet when they dealt Marcus Morris Sr. to the Los Angeles Clippers.

The Nets acquired Shamet last offseason from the Clippers.