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The trade deadline was huge in the NBA this season, as big time moves made seismic shifts across the league. This was particularly true in the Pacific Division, where underachieving teams with lots of star power are looking for an injection of energy heading into the All-Star break.
That includes the two teams squaring off tonight in Chase Center, the Golden State Warriors and the Los Angeles Lakers.
Golden State Warriors vs Los Angeles Lakers
February 11th, 2023 | 5:30 PM PT
Watch: ABC | Listen: 95.7 The Game
The Lakers boast the most prolific scorer in NBA history in LeBron James, an All-NBA talent in Anthony Davis, and yet injuries and lack of consistency have doomed this once proud franchise to a 25-31 record this year. That’s probably why they pulled the trigger on banishing Russell Westbrook to Utah in big-time traded headlined by the return of D’Angelo Russell to the purple and gold.
ESPN Sources: The Lakers are finalizing deal to land Minnesota’s D’Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt in trade including Mike Conley and picks to Timberwolves and Russell Westbrook and a lightly protected 2027 LA first-round pick to Jazz.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 9, 2023
If this 3-team trade gets finalized ... Lakers draft D'Angelo Russell in 2015 ... who, two years later, is traded to Nets for No. 27 pick, Kyle Kuzma ... who, four years later, is traded in a 5-team deal for Russell Westbrook ... who, today, is used in a deal to bring back D-Lo!?
— J.E. Skeets (@jeskeets) February 8, 2023
Oh yeah and the Lakers traded Patrick Beverly for Mo Bamba.
The Magic are trading Mo Bamba to the Lakers, source tells ESPN. https://t.co/SkKZFce9nT
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 9, 2023
That’s a lot going on! Talk about tinkering with the roster to give James and Davis a chance to compete for their second title as teammates in L.A.
Meanwhile the reigning, defending champion Warriors got a little frisky at the deadline themselves. They swapped embattled former #2 overall pick James Wiseman for the returning fan-favorite Gary Payton II...
A welcome back hug for Gary Payton II. He can't practice with the #Warriors until the trade becomes official. #DubNation @nbcbayarea #NBA pic.twitter.com/rn7rgS4J3O
— Anthony Flores (@AnthonyTVSports) February 10, 2023
....OR DID THEY?
GP2 has failed his physical, a source confirmed to @DaltonJ_Johnson, reportedly putting the four-team trade in jeopardy.
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) February 11, 2023
Read more: https://t.co/ZE7Ns7m01I pic.twitter.com/QyofyAFAwY
All that said, this should be a heckuva game tonight despite the absence of greatest player alive Stephen Curry.
Mo Bamba is still suspended, but looks like the other new guys will play pic.twitter.com/x88zihjbEj
— Harrison Faigen (@hmfaigen) February 10, 2023
Poll
Who ya got, Warriors or Lakers?
This poll is closed
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73%
Warriors, Jordan Poole is about to go bananas!
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26%
Lakers, the Dubs have no answer for King James
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