Report: Lakers Could Dangle Russell to get another pick in Top-5

[jpotter33]

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/rumor-lakers-could-trade-dangelo-russell-for-top-5-pick-in-nba-draft/

Apparently, this is based on a recent Ford conversation. He says that while Ingram is still the most likely pick for LA, they could either choose another player OR look to trade Russell for another top-five pick. Obviously, I think we'd be the main targets here. Russell doesn't seem to be a good fit in either Phoenix or Minnesota, and at the very least, the offensive-minded Russell would be an ideal fit next to a defensive-minded Smart in the backcourt, if not used in a trade for a star.

We all know the Bulls are looking for a point guard replacement prospect for Rose, and I think Russell would be very tempting for them in a Butler trade. I'm sure Sacramento would also love to build around a prospect the caliber of Russell, too. So he's just as valuable as trade bait as he is as a future prospect for us.

So here's the question, would you trade #3 straight up for Russell to either keep as a possible backcourt mate for Smart OR as trade bait for a bigger star trade?

I think this is simple - yes. Russell has shown that he's going to be an offensive star in this league, especially with his break out in the second half of the season. I think he'll hold great value and flexibility for us if we trade for him.

[Tr1boy]

nobody cares about Russell.  And I doubt anybody picking in the top 5 will make a trade for him

Still can't believe the stunt he pulled on his teammate

[A Future of Stevens]

nobody cares about Russell.  And I doubt anybody picking in the top 5 will make a trade for him

Still can't believe the stunt he pulled on his teammate

Russell Is a trash can who blows up his teammates private business for whatever his ulterior motives are. Coming from somebody who is from his generation, his actions are a disgrace to his age (and idiots like him give us all a bad rap) and a huge disservice to the last name of Russell (not that they are related of course.)

He should change his name to deangelo TMZ trashcan. The exact opposite kind of player you want to wear green.

[Rondo9]

I think Russell's value has decreased in the short term due to the Young incident.

[danglertx]

Russell showed he was going to be an offensive star?  OK.

[aingeforthree]

Russell's a nightmare right now. Let L.A. keep their camera man.

Nobody wants that guy around. Cancer stick

[alldaboston]

He's going to be a great player in this league.

If he didn't have his issue with Swaggy P, we wouldn't be hearing this rumor, and many of the same voices who bash him here would secretly love to have him.

[AngryAndIrritable]

Of course they're dangling Russell. He's a locker-room bombscare. Let someone else make that mistake.

[ConnerHenry]

Not a fan of Russell coming out of college or this past year in L.A., but the Lakers were all about selling tickets to see Kobe and making sure they finished bottom 3 to not lose their pick.

Byron Scott was a horrible coach for this team and Russell suffered from it all.Kobe was nowhere near a KG in MINN, mentoring the youngeters.

Granted, Russell is immature and then the Young stunt burned bridges. But he has nowhere to go but up and showed some flashes this season.

Still wouldn't do this deal, but I think he's better than shown

[danglertx]

He's going to be a great player in this league.

Based on what?  I think it is a little too early to be retiring his number and his 13ppg.  Kelly Olynyk actually scored more per 36 than Russell and he is everyone's favorite punching bag. 

[footey]

I would not give the 3 pick for him, but could be interested in other assets. I would trade Avery Bradley straight up for him, and I really like Avery a lot. I feel he has just about hit his ceiling, and Russell will get a lot better. His value is at an all time low, mostly due to a stunt that was dumb, but the really dumby was Young.

[Future Celtics Owner]

I think Russell's value has decreased in the short term due to the Young incident.

that's why we get him, if LAL are building for a crop of upcoming FA's they may be higher on Buddy Hield and offer a trade. Just look at his measurements and tell me he does not posses the ability to be a great defender. He did average over a steal and a few assists per game.

Everyone knows that I want Okafor bc the price should be right. But I think we should keep the #3 and use something else to get Okafor. IMO we would be lucky and wise to trade Marcus Smart alone or in a package for Okafor.
I know this is 2kish but if we could get one or both of D. Russell/Zach Lavine(one of which would play point) and Ingram for the 3(or maybe he plays 2 ala T-Mac) then we have a great 3-pt shooting tornado on our hands.....and a big we can count on to score.

[jpotter33]

Wow, a lot of people on here are severely underrating Russell, imo. Sure, that incident was stupid, but how many of us have all done stupid, immature things when we were his age? All of us did. It was an accident anyways. Still irresponsible, but it's not like he purposefully tried to break them up by snitching.

I think if he wasn't a Laker and didn't have that incident, people here would be drooling all over him. His offensive potential is ridiculous.

[jpotter33]

He's going to be a great player in this league.

If he didn't have his issue with Swaggy P, we wouldn't be hearing this rumor, and many of the same voices who bash him here would secretly love to have him.

Exactly. I can't believe this many people are down on him. He's got just as high, if not higher, of a ceiling as anyone that we'll pick at three, but he's already shown that his ceiling is reachable by showing that he belongs in this league where the others haven't yet. Hell, he's also still really young at 20, too.

[CelticsFan166]

"Lakers could dangle Russell"

Dare I call him...

Dangle'o Russell?