Confirmed deal : Lakers Land Versatile Vet Duo in D’Angelo Russell Blockbuster Trade Idea
The Los Angeles Lakers snapped a three-game losing streak with a 107-98 win over the rebuilding Portland Trail Blazers without LeBron James.
D’Angelo Russell exploded off the bench with a season-high 28 points and 14 assists. Despite his breakthrough performance, Russell remains on the trade block as the Lakers’ salary ballast in any potential in-season move that could help improve their 26th-ranked defense if they truly want to contend in the strong Western Conference
Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report suggested a trade involving Russell that could land them the Brooklyn Nets‘ veteran pair of Dorian Finney-Smith and former Laker Dennis Schröder
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Dorian Finney-Smith, Dennis Schröder
Brooklyn Nets Receive: D’Angelo Russell, Jalen Hood-Schifino, Cam Reddish, Christian Wood, 2029 first-round pick (top-5 protected)
It’s a win-win for two franchises that have different goals this season and beyond,” Swartz wrote of his trade idea.
The Lakers get veteran help for James and Anthony Davis who can improve their lackluster defense.
On the other hand, the Nets get a first-round pick and Hood-Schifino, whom they have shown interest in the past, NBA insider Jake Fischer reported for Bleacher Report. Plus, they can rehab Russell’s value. It was in Brooklyn where Russell became an All-Star before the Kevin Durant–Kyrie Irving era.
Finney-Smith is one of the top 3-and-D wings in the NBA who could ease the defensive burden on James and Davis in the frontcourt and also could cover their backcourt’s point-of-attack defense.
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