The Los Angeles Lakers’ difficulties in December have a significant impact on the team’s future goals. The Lakers’ extreme struggles make it seem inevitable that they will make a roster-boosting move at the 2024 trade deadline.
Although things are not quite as bad as they were with Russell Westbrook a year ago, this team definitely needs some change. In order for the Lakers to contend with the elite players in the NBA, they must consider implementing external upgrades.
That implies that some players will undoubtedly be shipped out. Three players in particular will undoubtedly be traded, even though there are many players who could wind up in a package.
D’Angelo Russell will undoubtedly be traded by the Lakers.
Before the season began, we informed readers of Lake Show Life that D’Angelo Russell’s new contract with the team virtually guaranteed a trade at some point in the season. That feels like a given now that the calendar has turned to the new year.
Take a look at how Darvin Ham has been handling Russell this season in the rotation. Russell’s offensive contribution began to significantly decline, which ultimately resulted in his dismissal.
Because Russell’s contract is less than $20 million and includes a player option for the following season, it is very tradeable. He could be acquired by a team as part of a larger trade for a matching salary, or a team like the San Antonio Spurs could use him as their starting point guard.