With the Lakers now out of the playoff picture, beat writer Jovan Buha went on The Athletic NBA Show to discuss the team’s situation heading into the summer. Aside from the talk surrounding Darvin Ham’s future, Buha noted that the Lakers could also decide the futures of two key players once free agency rolls around.
Should the Lakers Move On From These Two Starters?
Changes in Order
Trades remained a hot topic in La La Land throughout the year. Buha told The Athletic’s Sam Amick and Anthony Slater that he doesn’t see LA “running it back” next season. He also offered up two paths that the Lakers could take to improve, one of which involves D’Angelo Russell and Rui Hachimura:
“To me, I think it’s a matter of, ‘Do they make some medium changes?’ Maybe you look to have D’Angelo Russell opt in and…sign-and-trade him somewhere. Do you try and flip Rui Hachimura? Maybe changing a starter or key bench guy. At least a small-to-medium size change, but something notable that you feel confident can upgrade the roster or address a need.”
Buha added that Russell could use his leverage against the Lakers, who “don’t have the means to replace him, financially, at that price [an $18.5 million Player Option].” Their only hope would be signing his replacement to a roughly $13 million Non-Taxpayer Mid-Level Exception. As a result, Buha said:
“I think [the Lakers] want him to opt in, and have that optionality of, ‘We can trade him down the road or over the summer if something pops up.’ If he just walks, there’s a chance you see a significant downgrade…unless they counteract that with a trade for a star.”
Both players are coming off of poor postseason performances. In the first round, Russell averaged 14.2 points (38% FG), 4.2 assists and 2.8 rebounds. Hachimura, meanwhile, put up 7.8 points (39% FG), 3.8 rebounds and 0.8 assists per game. How did they fare in the regular season? D’Lo put up 18 points and six assists per game on .456/.415/.828 splits. Hachimura averaged nearly 16 points after being named a full-time starter in February.
Would the Lakers Consider Trading Russell or Hachimura?
The idea of the Lakers moving on from either of these two is far fetched at first. Rival teams didn’t care for either of them at the deadline, but that could change heading into the offseason. After another playoff run that ended at the hands of the Nuggets, the need for improvement is clear now more than ever. The prospect of a minor trade seems promising at first glance, especially with Lakers fans and front office staff divided over whether or not to go after a third star—which LeBron James reportedly wants, per Buha.
However, if the Lakers make either Russell or Hachimura available—presumably with one of their three tradable first-round picks—the focus immediately shifts to potential suitors. Would they be able to acquire one or two solid players to get off of Hachimura’s contract? Is it worth losing Russell when, as Buha added, the free agent facilitator market appears slim? These are questions the Lakers have to consider before trading them for marginal upgrades at best. Perhaps a major move would be the best case for LA to part with both players.
But as it stands right now, the Lakers should aim to keep Russell and Hachimura unless they receive a serious offer. Pelinka said it best at the deadline: there was no use making a trade just to make one. If the Lakers can find a deal for one or both players that really moves the needle, go for it. If not, look to free agency—or consider trading bench players—to improve the roster heading into next year.
