The Lakers traded third-year guard D’Angelo Russell and veteran center Timofey Mozgov to the Brooklyn Nets for center Brook Lopez and the 27th pick for Thursday’s NBA draft, according to the Vertical’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
The Lakers secured significant salary cap relief by trading Mozgov, who had three years remaining on his $48 million contract. His role also became marginalized with both modest production (7.4 points, 4.9 rebounds) and the emergence of center Ivica Zubac.
Lopez’s deal expires next summer ($22 million). Russell has one more season on his rookie contract worth $5.5 million with a team option for $7 million the following season.