LAKERS NOW HAVE THEIR ‘BIG THREE’

NEW YORK—Russell Westbrook joins LeBron James and Anthony Davis in Los Angeles after a blockbuster NBA trade with Washington, 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 LA and played for UCLA (University of California, 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.