It is never too early for NBA trade rumors to pick up. Despite the league’s deadline not being until February 8th, rumors are going to start swirling as free agents who signed contracts this summer will be eligible to be traded in the coming days.
One of the teams everyone is keeping an eye on ahead of the deadline is the Los Angeles Lakers. Fresh off of their NBA In-Season Tournament, Los Angeles is now turning their focus to the Larry O’Brien Trophy, as they hope to contend for the title in June.
With a record of 14-9, the Lakers have shown that they are a team that, when fully healthy, will be there at the end. They went on an incredible run last season, advancing to the Western Conference Finals in large part because of the roster shuffling general manager Rob Pelinka did at the deadline.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: D’Angelo Russell & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
Could the Lakers look to do the same this season? They have already been linked to a few players, as the impending Chicago Bulls firesale should present some trade options. Former Lakers guard Alex Caruso, DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine have all been linked to Los Angeles in some capacity.
But, to make a move to acquire players, someone has to be on the move off the roster. According to recent reports from Sam Amico of Hoops Wire, that player likely won’t be starting guard, D’Angelo Russell. To move him, the Lakers would have to be blown away by an offer.
“Russell is having a nice season, though, and the Lakers aren’t actively shopping him, sources told Hoops Wire. Quite the opposite. But they would in the right deal, or at least would be more likely to move Russell than some others. And they just may have to if they want a third consistent scorer in return,” Amico wrote.
This should put to rest some of the trade talks centered around Russell, as he has already been mentioned as a potential trade piece this season. In November, rumors popped up that the Lakers would look to package Russell along with Rui Hachimura to make a move to upgrade the roster.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: D’Angelo Russell & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
Given the contracts that Russell and Hachimura, it was natural that trade rumors involving the two would pop up. Both signed contracts this offseason and will be eligible to be traded on December 15th. If the Lakers do end up wanting to move him, he should have some value around the league.
Russell has played well for the purple and gold, averaging 16.6 points to go along with 6.3 assists, 3.3 rebounds, 0.8 steals and 0.5 blocks per game. He is in the midst of one of the most efficient shooting seasons of his career with a .483/.405/.782 shooting split and true shooting percentage of 59.3 percent.
A liability on the defensive end in years past, Russell has done a good job on that side of the floor as well. His Defensive Box Plus/Minus is pacing to be the lowest of his career and he has recorded one of the lowest defensive ratings of his career to this point as well.
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