Issues are beginning to get chaotic for D’Angelo Russell in Los Angeles.
Russell began the 2024-25 season on a chilly streak, hitting simply 14 of his first 48 3s for a 29.2 p.c mark. Worse nonetheless, JJ Redick has been very public in criticizing Russell’s aggressive spirit and a spotlight to element. in a nasty loss to the Grizzlies that dropped the group to 4-4 on the yr.
Russell has an expiring $18.7 million contract. This makes him the best participant on the roster to commerce. He would nearly definitely be included as one in every of a number of gamers in a transfer for a celebrity, together with the 2 first-round picks Los Angeles can commerce.
The Lakers have been reluctant to surrender these picks previously. In the event that they as an alternative aimed for a smaller transfer, plenty of gamers may treatment the group’s dismal 3-point capturing in a one-on-one or two-on-two trade, which might additionally retain a few of the group’s strengths. group draft. out there for bigger actions down the road.
Listed below are the sorts of gamers the Lakers may get for Russell in the event that they determine to maneuver on from him.
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Lakers commerce targets
The Lakers can not settle for any further wage in trades as a result of they’re above the primary apron. There are beginning high quality guards who make lower than Russell and are due to this fact simple trades with him.
Malcolm Brogdon, Wizards
Brogdon is simply two years away from profitable Sixth Man of the Yr with the Celtics. He is a sensible participant whose group protection and profession 39.1% capturing from 3 could be match for the Lakers.
Damage dangers are nonetheless a priority for him – he solely performed in 39 video games final yr and is already anticipated to begin the 2024-25 season with a damaged thumb. However he’s accessible on a nasty Wizards group. It would not price a lot to take him to Los Angeles. Russell and some second-rounders could be sufficient.
Collin Sexton, Jazz
Sexton is quietly the Jazz’s second-best participant since he was traded there three seasons in the past. He’s an excellent driver and shot creator who made 38.3 p.c of his 3s and averaged 18.8 factors per sport throughout his profession. Though he’s not a terrific defensive participant, he provides good effort and depth, which Russell lacks.
The Jazz would wish to hold Sexton if their aim was to win video games this yr, however they’ve been considerably shameless in tanking in earlier seasons, and so they may do it once more. They moved Sexton to the bench for 2 video games instead of a a lot worse participant, Jordan Clarkson, trying to money in early on their Cooper Flagg odds.
It would not take a lot to take away Sexton from this group – Russell and a protected first-round decide could be sufficient.
MORE: Lakers may add two-time resurgent All-Star on a budget in excellent commerce for each side
Bruce Brown Jr., Raptors
We’re breaking some guidelines right here. Brown makes $4.3 million greater than Russell, so not less than one further Laker must be included to make this commerce work. However Brown is the kind of Swiss military knife participant the Lakers lacked.
Brown has proven he can play minutes for a championship group, as he did with the Nuggets two years in the past. He can play slightly bit, shoot open 3s and play stable protection at a number of positions. The Raptors exercised his $23 million choice primarily to make use of him as a commerce chip, so he may very well be obtained for a mid-tier draft decide.
MORE: JJ Redick learns the teachings his former coach tried to warn him the laborious manner
Coby White, Bulls
White is one of the best participant on this record. The previous lottery decide exploded for the Bulls final season, ending second in Most Improved Participant voting with a median of 19.1 factors per sport. He has at all times been , high-volume 3-point shooter, hitting 37.0 p.c in his profession. And at 24, he nonetheless has room for enchancment.
It is odd that White is on the market given his age on a rebuilding Bulls group, however they will not be capable of lengthen him on his present three-year, $36 million contract and threat shedding him for nothing as soon as he could have reached unrestricted free company. in the summertime of 2026. This may very well be a possibility for the Bulls to promote excessive on a participant who may not be round by the point he’s good once more.
The worth for White could be excessive as a result of he is younger starter who the Bulls are in no rush to maneuver. It could take Russell with a number of decisions to attain this.
