Los Angeles Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell continues to present a conundrum, and it appears that there’s no sure-fire conclusion in sight. Russell has played better after JJ Redick switched Cam Reddish in his place in the Lakers starting lineup. However, for the Lakers to improve their roster, as they indicate they intend to, Russell always appears in the rumors as their main trade chip. Yet, he seems untradeable due to a key factor that ESPN’s Brian Windhorst talked about on the Hoops Talk with Allen Sliwa podcast on Friday.
Lakers Trade Plans Grounded by Guard’s Low Market Value
Lakers Guard D’Angelo Russell Getting in the Way of Roster Improvement
The Lakers are one of the more interesting teams in the NBA at the moment. On the one hand, they’re 8-4 and, at least offensively speaking, a much different-looking team than last year. Anthony Davis is playing at an MVP-esque level. LeBron James just completed his fourth consecutive triple-double Friday against the San Antonio Spurs. Redick has also installed a culture and team-wide accountability structure that the Lakers lacked in the previous two seasons.
On the other hand—their defense is underwhelming. Additionally, what to make of Russell is mind-numbing at this point. On some nights, he’s the Lakers third-best player on the floor. Other nights, he’s unplayable and makes some very unnerving plays or takes some wish-I-could-have-that-one-back shots. The Lakers heavily depended on Russell’s three-point shooting last season to re-surge them into playoff contention. LA followed that up by trying to trade him during the off-season. Now, the Lakers are in a difficult position, and as Windhorst put it, they are in the middle of a ‘can’t live with him, can’t live without him’ type of scenario when discussing D’Lo’s low trade value around the league. [4:15 mark]
“…his opt out decision I thought was one of the more fascinating decisions of last offseason because quite frankly, his value in the NBA isn’t that high, and we know this because the Lakers have tried to trade him and have’t found a deal that they…Pelinka has said this on the record, ‘we can’t find a deal.’ You know, he hasn’t said it necessarily in reference to D’Lo, but he can’t sell a house that nobody wants to buy…”
Is He Staying, Or Is He Going? Staying…Going…Staying…
If only Russell’s inconsistencies weren’t such a glaring question mark. If he were to exit LA, the Lakers would lose out on a significant amount of offensive potential and playmaking. As bipolar as his game can be at times, D’Lo also has the ability to win games when LeBron or AD might be struggling. He’s also the main roster piece that brings a significant need in, such as a center, which is definitely a need for the Lakers. The Lakers remain hesitant about trading away Rui Hachimura or Austin Reaves. So Russell remains in the conversation. But does he have to go for a trade to happen? What are the chances that Rob Pelinka can swing a deal sans Russell? The Lakers do have picks to dangle. Given Russell’s low trade value, Hachimura or Reaves could eventually be laid out on the sacrificial temple altar along with a pick, and Russell continues his season unscathed.
Russell playing out his final year on his contract in LA is highly plausible. If that’s the case, the Lakers must find a different avenue to achieve a roster move. Either way, the Lakers kind of need D’Lo if he stays, whether fans like it or not.
