One NBA writer is proposing that the Indiana Pacers acquire D’Angelo Russell and Jarred Vanderbilt from the Los Angeles Lakers in a blockbuster trade. Lee Tran of Fadeaway World proposed the following trade idea between the Pacers and Lakers:
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Myles Turner
Indiana Pacers Receive: D’Angelo Russell, Jarred Vanderbilt, Jalen Hood-Schifino, 2024 Second-Round Pick (LAC), 2025 Second-Round Pick (LAC)
“Even though D’Angelo Russell has his critics, most people agree that Russell is a fairly versatile guard who can play either backcourt slot,” Tran wrote in his latest NBA trade column. “He should be a great partner for Tyrese Haliburton at the SG position, as Russell is capable of playing off-ball as a secondary playmaker. The guard has shown that he can thrive with other high-usage players already. On the Pacers, Russell should end up with a larger role as well, which will help him rebuild his stock and earn a long-term lucrative contract when he becomes a free agent once again.
“The rest of this deal is made up of Jarred Vanderbilt, Jalen Hood-Schifino, and future second-round picks. Vanderbilt isn’t necessarily as good as Myles Turner, but he is a great rebounder and rim roller. With this trade, Jarred Vanderbilt would start at the C position. Though he will be a free agent at the end of the 2023-24 season, Vanderbilt should still be a worthwhile acquisition for the Indiana Pacers, especially if they can find a way to retain him.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: D’Angelo Russell, Jarred Vanderbilt, Los Angeles Lakers & Indiana Pacers Updates
The Lakers acquired Russell from the Minnesota Timberwolves at the 2023 February trade deadline and the Ohio State product played well in his 17 games with Los Angeles, averaging 17.4 points and 6.1 assists while shooting 41.4% from 3. D’Lo also put up strong numbers in the first two rounds of the 2023 NBA playoffs versus the Memphis Grizzlies and Golden State Warriors. The Louisville native averaged 15.7 points and 5.0 assists and scored 31 points in Game 6 against the Grizzlies.
However, Russell was so bad against the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference Finals that several people around the NBA believed the Lakers shouldn’t have re-signed him. The lefty averaged 6.3 points and 3.5 assists while shooting 32.3% from the field and 13.3% from beyond the arc as the Nuggets swept the Lakers.
Despite Russell’s struggles versus the Nuggets, though, the Lakers brought him back on a two-year, $37 million contract. However, Russell waived his implied no-trade clause, so Los Angeles can trade the guard anywhere.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: D’Angelo Russell, Jarred Vanderbilt, Los Angeles Lakers & Indiana Pacers Updates
The Utah Jazz traded Vanderbilt to the Lakers at the 2023 trade deadline. The forward averaged 7.2 points and 6.7 rebounds in 26 regular-season games with Los Angeles. Vanderbilt then averaged 4.6 points and 3.2 rebounds in the 2023 postseason.
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