By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
The move is reported by Adrian Wojnarowski and the Lakers also get the 27th pick of the upcoming draft. It’s not a surprise that Mozgov was traded after this interview however in total the Lakers cleared almost $23 million from their salary cap next summer.
The deal sheds the Lakers of Mozgov’s unwieldy contract, which pays him $37.5 million over the next three seasons, but also sees Russell, the No. 2 pick in the 2015 draft, depart. Still just 21 years old, Russell averaged 15.6 points and 4.8 assists per game last season.
Lopez had been the Nets’ top player for the past several seasons and averaged 20.5 points and 5.4 rebounds per game last season. He will presumably slide into a starting center role in Los Angeles. He has $22.6 million remaining on the final year of his contract.
Plus with Lonzo Ball being their expected pick, they are also clearing space for him in order to be a starter in the place of Russell.