AP sources: Lakers to ship Russell, Moz to Nets for Lopez
GREG BEACHAM, AP Sports Writers
JON KRAWCZYNSKI, AP Sports Writers
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Three people with knowledge of the deal say the Los Angeles Lakers have agreed to trade point guard D’Angelo Russell and high-priced center Timofey Mozgov to the Brooklyn Nets for big man Brook Lopez and the 27th overall pick in the upcoming draft.
The people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the trade hadn’t been consummated Tuesday.
The Lakers’ new front office led by Magic Johnson has boldly decided to give up on Russell, the No. 2 pick in the 2015 draft, after just two seasons. He averaged 15.6 points and 4.8 assists last year.
The Lakers likely are making the deal to clear the salary cap space eaten up by the four-year, $64 million contract given to Mozgov last summer by the previous front office.
AP source: Hawks send center Dwight Howard to Hornets
CHARLES ODUM, AP Sports Writer
ATLANTA (AP) — A person familiar with the situation says the Charlotte Hornets have reached an agreement to acquire center Dwight Howard from the Atlanta Hawks.
The Hawks are sending Howard and the No. 31 overall pick in Thursday’s NBA draft to Charlotte for center Miles Plumlee, shooting guard Marco Belinelli and the 41st pick, the person told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Tuesday because the trade is not yet official.
Howard will be playing for his third team in three seasons following a disappointing homecoming in Atlanta.
Howard signed a three-year, $70.5 million deal with Atlanta and then sat out the fourth quarter in two of six playoff games in the Hawks’ first-round loss to Washington.
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AP Sports Writer Jon Krawcynski in Minneapolis and AP Sports Writer Steve Reed in Charlotte contributed to this report.
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