Lakers agree to trade D'Angelo Russell, Timofey Mozgov to Nets for Brook Lopez and 27th pick
The draft is still two days away, but there have been constant rumblings since the Boston Celtics traded the top pick to the Philadelphia 76ers.
On Tuesday, another domino fell, this time involving the Los Angeles Lakers and the Brooklyn Nets.
The Lakers have agreed to send D'Angelo Russell and Timofey Mozgov to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Brook Lopez and the 27th pick in Thursday's draft, two people with knowledge of the trade confirmed to USA TODAY Sports.
The people requested anonymity because the trades weren't announced publicly.
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The Lakers, who own the No. 2 pick, are widely expected to take Lonzo Ball now that there's an opening in the backcourt.
Mozgov has three years and approximately $48 million left on his deal while Lopez's deal expires next summer ($22 million). Russell has one more season on his deal worth $5.5 million with a team option for seven million the following season.
The move clears significant salary for the Lakers and positions them well heading into next offseason when both Paul George and LeBron James are free agents.
The Vertical first reported the trade.
Follow USA TODAY Sports' Sam Amick on Twitter @Sam_Amick.
