{"id":109774,"date":"2024-11-29T18:11:46","date_gmt":"2024-11-29T23:11:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=109774"},"modified":"2024-11-29T18:11:46","modified_gmt":"2024-11-29T23:11:46","slug":"lakers-rumors-dangelo-russell-jalen-hood-schifino-trading-block","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/11\/29\/lakers-rumors-dangelo-russell-jalen-hood-schifino-trading-block\/","title":{"rendered":"Lakers Rumors: Are These Two Guards on the Trading Block?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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\u2014including, 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.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Lakers Rumors: Are These Two Guards on the Trading Block?<\/b><\/h2>\n<h3><b>Two Point Guards on the Table<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to Forbes NBA reporter Evan Sidery, the Lakers have become \u201cone of the most active teams in early trade discussions around the NBA,\u201d adding that they\u2019ve \u201cdangled\u201d <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/r\/russeda01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">D\u2019Angelo Russell<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/h\/hoodsja01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Jalen Hood-Schifino<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in trade talks.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">The Lakers are one of the most active teams in early trade discussions around the NBA.<\/p>\n<p>Los Angeles has dangled the expiring contracts of D\u2019Angelo Russell and Jalen Hood-Schifino in exploratory talks.<\/p>\n<p>Keep an eye on Los Angeles between now and February\u2019s deadline making moves. <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/tJrbDiJibX\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/tJrbDiJibX<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Evan Sidery (@esidery) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/esidery\/status\/1861863155892142543?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">November 27, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Russell\u2019s role has shifted over the course of this young season. Head coach JJ Redick made a bold move by <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/11\/19\/lakers-point-guard-russell\/\" target=\"_self\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">removing the 2019 All-Star from the starting lineup<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> alongside <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/j\/jamesle01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LeBron James<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/d\/davisan02.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Anthony Davis<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, instead opting to have him lead the second unit. That change has clearly paid off for the Lakers, <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.statmuse.com\/nba\/ask\/lakers-record-since-november-8-2024\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">who have gone 7-3 since Russell was relegated<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. 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.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hood-Schifino is fully healthy after missing the end of his rookie campaign due to back surgery. However, he hasn\u2019t received many opportunities due to the Lakers\u2019 logjam at point guard. The 21-year-old has only played once this season\u2014a 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 <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/gleague.nba.com\/game\/slc-vs-sbl-2052400013?view=box-score\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">season opener against the Salt Lake City Stars<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, finishing with eight points (3\/7 FG, 2\/6 3PT), one rebound and one assist in 13 minutes. The Lakers previously declined Hood-Schifino\u2019s team option for the 2025-26 season, and he <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/Cua3UhqqSio?si=ux4hbgr_gZlweroG\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">addressed the matter<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in a press conference with the South Bay Lakers.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cI mean, it happens. So, for me, I\u2019ve just got to continue to get better. Still an opportunity to get better, learn, playing in the G League\u2014big team or not\u2014you 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.\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h3><b>Potential Trade Partners<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While reacting to the Lakers\u2019 win over the Spurs Thursday night, The Athletic\u2019s Jovan Buha rattled off <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/live\/5eUEbFVkIqE?si=lxmjMpdGoAMrbEcd&amp;t=1740\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">a list of teams he thinks the Lakers could trade with<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cUtah, Toronto, Brooklyn, Chicago\u2014although Chicago and LA have a weird relationship. \u2026 Washington is another one, and maybe Charlotte. \u2026 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.\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Amid all of those teams, there are a select few who make sense for the Lakers. For instance, Buha\u2019s comments come after other reports of the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/11\/27\/lakers-rumors-dorian-finney-smith-nets\/\" target=\"_self\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lakers keeping tabs on Nets forward<\/span><\/a> <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/f\/finnedo01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dorian Finney-Smith<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a 3-and-D wing who would shore up their problems on defense. They could also <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/11\/01\/lakers-rumors-potential-offer-for-walker-kessler-revealed\/\" target=\"_self\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">talk to Utah about<\/span><\/a> <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/k\/kesslwa01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Walker Kessler<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and\/or <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/s\/sextoco01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Colin Sexton<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, who could vastly improve the team\u2019s needs at center and point guard, respectively. The Wizards could be another viable option, given LA\u2019s prior interest in center <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/v\/valanjo01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Jonas Valanciunas<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, who <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/11\/11\/valanciunas-set-to-be-traded-amidst-shelf-display-decision\/\" target=\"_self\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">may also be on the trade block<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> come December, or\u2014albeit unlikely\u2014a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/11\/22\/kyle-kuzma-trade-possibilities\/\" target=\"_self\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">reunion<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with 2020 champion <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/k\/kuzmaky01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Kyle Kuzma<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Could LA Still Move on After Russell\u2019s Resurgence?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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\u2019s reserves struggling, while the starters have found some success of their own. However, it\u2019s apparent that the Lakers\u2019 problems won\u2019t fix themselves.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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\u2019s on an expiring $18.7 million salary could entice some teams to trade for him. Trading Russell may be one of the Lakers\u2019 best shots at improvement, whether it\u2019s going after a rotational center, acquiring a 3-and-D wing, or making a big change at Russell\u2019s own position.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The same could hold true for Hood-Schifino. Though he does not have Russell\u2019s resume, he\u2019s 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.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Lakers have some tough decisions to make even before Dec. 15, ones that could help shape their outcome at season\u2019s end.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>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\u2014including, of course, the Lakers. Several reports have indicated which players could be on the table, as well as who may be willing [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4265,"featured_media":109780,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1608,6,8,26,62,23,14,4721,24,18],"tags":[240,1594,307,2272,4907,167,1128,38,4513],"class_list":["post-109774","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-basketball","category-nets","category-bulls","category-lakers","category-nba","category-trailblazers","category-raptors","category-trade-rumors","category-jazz","category-wizards","tag-anthony-davis","tag-collin-sexton","tag-dangelo-russell","tag-dorian-finney-smith","tag-jalen-hood-schifino","tag-jonas-valanciunas","tag-kyle-kuzma","tag-lebron-james","tag-walker-kessler"],"modified_by":"Jordan Pagkalinawan","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/109774","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4265"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=109774"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/109774\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/109780"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=109774"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=109774"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=109774"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}