An important date in the NBA season is coming up. Dec. 15 is the first day that teams can trade recently-signed players, which leaves plenty of rumors circulating about a number of teams—including, of course, the Lakers. Several reports have indicated which players could be on the table, as well as who may be willing to trade with them.
Lakers Rumors: Are These Two Guards on the Trading Block?
Two Point Guards on the Table
According to Forbes NBA reporter Evan Sidery, the Lakers have become “one of the most active teams in early trade discussions around the NBA,” adding that they’ve “dangled” D’Angelo Russell and Jalen Hood-Schifino in trade talks.
The Lakers are one of the most active teams in early trade discussions around the NBA.
Los Angeles has dangled the expiring contracts of D’Angelo Russell and Jalen Hood-Schifino in exploratory talks.
Keep an eye on Los Angeles between now and February’s deadline making moves. pic.twitter.com/tJrbDiJibX
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) November 27, 2024
Russell’s role has shifted over the course of this young season. Head coach JJ Redick made a bold move by removing the 2019 All-Star from the starting lineup alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis, instead opting to have him lead the second unit. That change has clearly paid off for the Lakers, who have gone 7-3 since Russell was relegated. Russell, for his part, has benefited as well, averaging 11.6 points, 2.2 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game on .416/.296/.800 splits.
Hood-Schifino is fully healthy after missing the end of his rookie campaign due to back surgery. However, he hasn’t received many opportunities due to the Lakers’ logjam at point guard. The 21-year-old has only played once this season—a minute of garbage time against the 76ers on Nov. 8. He also played one game for their G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers. In the season opener against the Salt Lake City Stars, finishing with eight points (3/7 FG, 2/6 3PT), one rebound and one assist in 13 minutes. The Lakers previously declined Hood-Schifino’s team option for the 2025-26 season, and he addressed the matter in a press conference with the South Bay Lakers.
“I mean, it happens. So, for me, I’ve just got to continue to get better. Still an opportunity to get better, learn, playing in the G League—big team or not—you know, opportunities will be there. So, at the end of the day, for me, I just gotta continue to take it day by day, and take advantage of anything that comes my way.”
Potential Trade Partners
While reacting to the Lakers’ win over the Spurs Thursday night, The Athletic’s Jovan Buha rattled off a list of teams he thinks the Lakers could trade with:
“Utah, Toronto, Brooklyn, Chicago—although Chicago and LA have a weird relationship. … Washington is another one, and maybe Charlotte. … Probably, you could throw Portland in there. Those are the five or six teams, I think, are the most likely trade partners for LA this season.”
Amid all of those teams, there are a select few who make sense for the Lakers. For instance, Buha’s comments come after other reports of the Lakers keeping tabs on Nets forward Dorian Finney-Smith, a 3-and-D wing who would shore up their problems on defense. They could also talk to Utah about Walker Kessler and/or Colin Sexton, who could vastly improve the team’s needs at center and point guard, respectively. The Wizards could be another viable option, given LA’s prior interest in center Jonas Valanciunas, who may also be on the trade block come December, or—albeit unlikely—a reunion with 2020 champion Kyle Kuzma.
Could LA Still Move on After Russell’s Resurgence?
The Lakers found an ideal balance after moving Russell to the second unit early in the season. He has given the bench a much-needed boost with the rest of LA’s reserves struggling, while the starters have found some success of their own. However, it’s apparent that the Lakers’ problems won’t fix themselves.
Given the Lakers lack of assets and the necessity to make a trade, it makes sense if Russell becomes one of the first players to go. He has proven he can be impactful regardless of the situation, and the fact he’s on an expiring $18.7 million salary could entice some teams to trade for him. Trading Russell may be one of the Lakers’ best shots at improvement, whether it’s going after a rotational center, acquiring a 3-and-D wing, or making a big change at Russell’s own position.
The same could hold true for Hood-Schifino. Though he does not have Russell’s resume, he’s a developing point guard who is willing to put in the work and grow into a rotation piece. If the Lakers are no longer the best fit for him, JHS could benefit from a change of scenery that allows him to thrive elsewhere.
The Lakers have some tough decisions to make even before Dec. 15, ones that could help shape their outcome at season’s end.
