One NBA writer is proposing that the Portland Trail Blazers acquire D’Angelo Russell from the Los Angeles Lakers in a blockbuster trade. Lee Tran of Fadeaway World proposed the following trade idea between the Lakers and Blazers:
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Anfernee Simons
Portland Trail Blazers Receive: D’Angelo Russell, Jalen Hood-Schifino, Maxwell Lewis, 2025 Second-Round Pick (LAL), 2027 Second-Round Pick (LAL)
The Lakers acquired Russell from the Minnesota Timberwolves at the 2023 February trade deadline. 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.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: D’Angelo Russell, Portland Trail Blazers, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
Russell put up strong numbers in the first two rounds of the 2023 playoffs versus the Memphis Grizzlies and Golden State Warriors. He averaged 15.7 points and 5.0 assists and scored an impressive 31 points in Game 6 against the Grizzlies.
However, Russell was so poor against the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference Finals that many people around the NBA thought the Lakers shouldn’t have re-signed him. The lefty averaged 6.3 points and 3.5 assists while shooting 32.3% from the floor 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 this summer in free agency. Russell’s new two-year contract with the Lakers is guaranteed for $36 million. The one-time NBA All-Star has $700,000 in incentives in each season of the deal. In addition, Russell waived his implied no-trade clause, so he can be traded anywhere.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: D’Angelo Russell, Portland Trail Blazers, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
Since Russell waived his no-trade clause, some NBA insiders believe the Lakers will look to trade the veteran if he struggles next season. It will be interesting to see if the Blazers and Lakers talk about a Russell trade.
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