Even with his recent hot streak, starting point guard D’Angelo Russell of the Los Angeles Lakers is still their top trade target.
Russell was named by ESPN’s Brian Windhorst for apparent reasons.
As part of his agreement last summer, Russell gave up his right to veto trades. His $17 million contract fits into the Lakers’ trade strategy, which was evident at the time. Although Russell and [Dejounte] Murray have been linked in trade talks, Windhorst wrote on January 30 that Russell just had his best three weeks of the season.
Since returning to the starting lineup nine games ago, Russell, 27, has averaged 27.0 points and 6.2 assists while shooting 51.2% from the field and 50% from three-point range. Russell has helped the Lakers to a 5-4 record and a 23-point advantage over their opponents during that time, according to Statmuse.
Nevertheless, Russell might be traded for a two-way guard at the trade deadline or used as a salary ballast in a deal for a game-changing player in the offseason due to the Lakers’ excruciating inconsistency and lack of point-of-attack defense.
The Lakers will have access to three first-round picks starting in the June NBA Draft if they remain silent at the trade deadline.
The Lakers have internally discussed the possibility of pursuing a star above Murray’s tier in the offseason, according to a January 23 report from ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.
According to team sources who spoke with ESPN, the Lakers have internally discussed the possibility of packing three picks with players already on their roster in order to pursue a legitimate star, like Donovan Mitchell of the Cleveland Cavaliers or Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks, McMenamin wrote.
