One NBA writer is proposing that the Toronto Raptors acquire D’Angelo Russell from the Los Angeles Lakers and De’Andre Hunter from the Atlanta Hawks.
Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report proposed the following trade idea between the Raptors, Lakers and Hawks:
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Dejounte Murray and Garrett Temple
Atlanta Hawks Receive: Pascal Siakam, Dennis Schröder and Max Christie
Toronto Raptors Receive: D’Angelo Russell, De’Andre Hunter, Taurean Prince, a top-10 protected 2029 first-round pick from Los Angeles and a 2029 first-round pick from Atlanta
The Raptors traded OG Anunoby to the New York Knicks for RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley. Bailey believes Toronto should embrace a full rebuild by trading Pascal Siakam next and acquiring Russell from the Lakers and Hunter from the Hawks.
Getting rid of Siakam would open up more shots for franchise cornerstone Scottie Barnes.
“Russell being on a very movable contract means he could be re-routed any time between this deal and next season’s trade deadline, too (he’s on an $18.7 million player option for 2024-25),” Bailey wrote in his NBA trade proposal. “Although there may not be a ton of untapped potential from Hunter (he’s 26 years old and has career averages of 4.1 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 0.7 steals), he could be part of a moderately interesting and mostly positionless crop of forwards in Toronto. Barnes, Hunter and Barrett could switch all over the floor, and the latter two could, at least in theory, space the floor around Barnes’ drives and pick-and-roll forays.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: D’Angelo Russell, Los Angeles Lakers, De’Andre Hunter, Atlanta Hawks, Toronto Raptors Updates
For the Lakers this season, Russell is averaging 14.8 points, 2.9 rebounds and 6.1 assists while shooting 46.6% from the field, 38.8% from beyond the arc and 77.3% from the free-throw line. Most people around the NBA expect Russell to be traded before the trade deadline in February.
Meanwhile, Hunter is averaging 14.9 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.4 assists for the Hawks while shooting 46.0% overall, 40.4% from 3 and 90.7% from the foul line. The Hawks have been trying to acquire Siakam since last offseason and are open to trading Hunter, sources told NBA Analysis Network.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: D’Angelo Russell, Los Angeles Lakers, De’Andre Hunter, Atlanta Hawks, Toronto Raptors Updates
The Raptors are 13-20 on the season. They are in 12th place in the Eastern Conference standings. Most NBA observers expect Toronto to trade Siakam, who becomes an unrestricted free agent next offseason.
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