The Los Angeles Lakers lost badly against the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night, dropping to 4-4. Although LeBron James had his best season-long all-around performance, his teammates were unable to compensate for Anthony Davis’ injury.
D’Angelo Russell was the most blatant of the underachievers. On the surface, the Lakers point guard’s 22-minute performance of 12 points and three assists on 4-of-12 shooting is entirely fine. Russell’s head simply wasn’t in the game between the buckets and the numbers, even though he did record a few steals. He was to blame for a number of defensive lapses and an overall ill-feel that left JJ Redick fuming after the game.
Redick criticized Russell’s “lack of compete” when he was asked why the former No. 2 selection ended up on the bench for so long. Both Gabe Vincent and Cam Reddish ended up playing more minutes than Russell, which hasn’t happened often thus far.
For years, Russell has been a sought-after hypothetical trade target due to his expiring $18.7 million contract. The Lakers are now in a position to move him for a significant improvement. Russell’s mediocre defense and lack of decisiveness are just what Los Angeles needs from LeBron’s main backcourt running partner, but his scoring numbers will undoubtedly increase as the season goes on.
The Lakers must begin luring Russell to potential buyers, whether it’s through a trade for a wing or another point guard to further balance the squad. Redick (as well as the rest of us sitting at home) will become increasingly uncomfortable the longer this stews.
These are some feasible transactions.
There are two sides to Dennis Schroder’s stellar start to the season since the Brooklyn Nets are in full “Sag for Flagg” mentality. On the one hand, it increases his trade worth and gives the squad a strong offensive foundation. Schroder, however, is contributing to the Nets’ victories. Brooklyn should cash in on a “worse” player (and draft picks) as soon as possible.
The Lakers would undoubtedly be hesitant to part with their valuable 2029 first-round pick, but this would at least provide some protection against the uncertain post-LeBron future. Schroder, meanwhile, instantly improves the starting backcourt and gives the Lakers a reliable source of transition buckets and rim pressure. Schroder would have a greater impact than Russell because of his quickness, ability to create plays, and dedication to playable defense.
D’Lo, who once received his only All-Star selection, must have enjoyed going back to Brooklyn. Before the deadline, the Nets might try to buy out that contract, trade him separately, or simply let Russell cook with him. Cam Thomas is a backcourt player who will both excite and enthrall. The key takeaway, though, is that Russell shouldn’t improve Brooklyn’s competitive floor as much as Schroder is at the moment, even if he puts up impressive statistics.
Bojan Bogdanovic, a potential impact shooter off the bench, is also sent to the Lakers for their troubles. Bogey has a lot to give, despite the fact that his age has significantly reduced his defensive equity, and JJ Redick’s second unit is now incredibly thin. For Russell, scraps, and a first-round pick, the Lakers are getting two players with over 25 minutes of rotation time.
2. The Lakers may trade D’Angelo Russell to the Wizards and reconnect with Kyle Kuzma.
For some time, there has been speculation that Kyle Kuzma would rejoin the Lakers. Although the Washington Wizards are an entertaining squad, Cooper Flagg is the target of their purposeful bad play. Kyle Kuzma has had a terrible start to the season. He should ultimately improve his shooting percentages (.327/.278/.750), but I don’t think Washington can anticipate peak value with three years and almost $70 million left on his contract.
Nevertheless, it is a victory to sell Kuzma’s money for D’Angelo Russell’s deal that is about to expire. A complicating element is Jarred Vanderbilt’s four-year, $48 million contract, which should age well whenever he returns in good condition. Repackaging Vando in a different trade shouldn’t be too difficult, at the very least. In an effort to acquire draft assets in return for greater long-term funding, the Wizards may also try to flip Russell’s salary. The Washington front office has a great deal of options with this package.
The Lakers would likely upsize the team and give Austin Reaves greater ball-handling duties by inserting Kuzma into Russell’s place in the starting lineup. For a long time, Kuzma’s effectiveness has been hindered by his prominent role in DC. Even if Kuzma’s raw scoring output decreases, playing off of LeBron and AD in JJ Redick’s movement-heavy scheme should enhance his numbers. Although Kuzma isn’t a particularly good defender, he is reliable, and this move would significantly boost Los Angeles’ struggling defensive performance.
In DC, Johnny Davis has essentially flamed out. He primarily serves as salary filler, but since the Lakers are so lacking in young players with the potential to be profitable outside of Dalton Knecht and Max Christie, it can’t hurt to take a chance on a former lottery choice who has genuine athleticism and shooting ability—or the vague idea of it.
1. In Zach LaVine’s blockbuster, the Lakers can trade D’Angelo Russell to the Bulls.
Zach LaVine has been blazing hot for the Chicago Bulls this season, which is possibly the most expected development in history. The All-Star is reminding everyone why he might be worth a little extra money after a turbulent summer in which Chicago attempted and failed to terminate LaVine’s contract. Although LaVine is still 29 years old and, in theory, in the heart of his peak, injuries have been a big plot point in his career.
The Lakers should switch up their lineup; it would be great to have a legitimate “third star” beside LeBron and AD. Under the new CBA, it can be challenging to develop around such a costly trio, but the Los Angeles frickin’ Lakers are the team that should pursue the ultimate goal with the most financial ferocity. During the next three years, LaVine is expected to get almost $138 million. It’s a lot, but it’s not the horrible, unworkable albatross some portray it to be, considering some of the contracts being awarded these days. particularly if his present level of play is maintained.
LaVine’s lack of winning experience has been criticized a lot, but we can’t really hold it against him because he has played for poor teams. LaVine would be a great complement to LeBron and AD because of his combination of shooting, cutting, and supplementary playmaking. LaVine has never performed with several well-known artists simultaneously. A potential LaVine-Reaves backcourt raises defensive questions, but we’re replacing D’Angelo Russell, so whatever. There is no way it could be worse.
To balance the budget, the remainder of this exchange is just a complicated wage maneuver. While Jarred Vanderbilt and Gabe Vincent are essentially merely trade bait, the Bulls get to invest in Max Christie’s future. Russell’s deal is about to expire, which either gives the Bulls a lot of cap relief at the end of the season or allows them to make another big move before the deadline. To keep the second unit well-stocked, LA, meantime, acquires Torrey Craig and Julian Phillips, two possible lower-end rotation wings.
This definitely ought to have occurred sooner. Contrary to popular belief, LaVine is a fantastic player who would be a fantastic third wheel for a young Lakers squad.
