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

[Eddie20]

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.

That's not true. There were whispers immediately out of the gate about how Russell wasn't as athletic as perceived and he had trouble getting passed defenders (somewhat evidenced by his 2.4 FTA per game), as well as staying in front of his man on defense.

This was conversation after Summer League
https://www.reddit.com/r/nba/comments/3dgpxz/with_dangelo_russells_lack_of_athleticism_will_it/

He's also done weird things beyond the Young thing.

D'Angelo Russell sent out a since-deleted tweet earlier this month, claiming that the talented-but-oft-injured Tracy McGrady "might have been the GOAT." This raised eyebrows; after all, Russell's new Los Angeles Lakers teammate is Kobe Bryant

Byron Scott also pointed out how he lacked maturity and didn't always seemed focused in practice.

The point is that if he were truly showing signs of stardom, regardless of what he did with Young, there would be no talk of the Lakers  considering trading him. The fact that they're has more do about what they think of a player and really says a lot.

[chilidawg]

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.

And we'd be giving up 120 points a game.

[SHAQATTACK]

He is going to be a nice player in NBA for a long time.

I'm not seeing him being as dominate as Derrick Rose was , Lillard is , or Westbrook .   

Don't believe he'll be an All Star.....but maybe close a few years.

[chiken Green]

As a Celtics fan why would be interested in a Russell - We have a guy on our team running the point that Russell may never reach the level of?

Not saying the kid doesn't have a future, we just don't have point guard issues. IF we did then we'd just draft the Dunn kid who looks to have a much higher ceiling than this guy. 

[hpantazo]

As a Celtics fan why would be interested in a Russell - We have a guy on our team running the point that Russell may never reach the level of?

Not saying the kid doesn't have a future, we just don't have point guard issues. IF we did then we'd just draft the Dunn kid who looks to have a much higher ceiling than this guy.

I agree. Dunn at least can play defense.

[jpotter33]

As a Celtics fan why would be interested in a Russell - We have a guy on our team running the point that Russell may never reach the level of?

Not saying the kid doesn't have a future, we just don't have point guard issues. IF we did then we'd just draft the Dunn kid who looks to have a much higher ceiling than this guy.

See the second option of the poll.

And much higher ceiling? Russell is two years younger than Dunn and has already shown that he belongs in this league. Draft silly season is surely upon us, and Dunn has been greatly helped by all this hype. I just don't see the hype with this kid.

[mctyson]

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.

Not so simple when basically everyone disagrees with you.

[hpantazo]

If Okafor can't get you a top 6 pick in this draft, then Russell certainly shouldn't be able to get a top 6 pick either.

[byennie]

I'm not sure if he's a fit here, but holy cow people are overreacting and underrating. Put him in this draft and there's zero chance he would last past pick #5.

Dude put up 13-3-3 and shot high 30s from 3PT as a 19 year-old rookie with lousy teammates. Post All-Star break he bumped it up to 15 ppg and 39% 3PT, and got to the line almost 4 times in 30 minutes.

He's an immature 20 year-old, yes, but that's not exactly rare in this league, and I challenge you to find better seasons from teenage point guards. The kid's still 6 months younger than Dante Exum, for example.

[byennie]

If this were true, I'd happily go do this:


Russell, #23        => Chicago
#3, Rose            => LAL
Butler              => Boston


We get Butler straight up for #3 and #23, and keep #16 (possibly move up into the lottery again).

Chicago flips the #3 for Russell, dumps Rose's salary, and picks up another 1st rounder. So the rebuild starts with Russell, multiple 1st rounders this year, and mega cap space right away.

LAL gets to pick #2 and #3 and a 1 year look at Derrick Rose. Ingram, Dunn, Randle... or Bender... and then Westbrook + ?? next year.

[jpotter33]

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.

Not so simple when basically everyone disagrees with you.

These people are also basing their decision due to his ability to snapchat, so...

People are also grossly underestimating his value around the league. There are quite a few teams who'd love to have Russell to build around.

[jpotter33]

I'm not sure if he's a fit here, but holy cow people are overreacting and underrating. Put him in this draft and there's zero chance he would last past pick #5.

Dude put up 13-3-3 and shot high 30s from 3PT as a 19 year-old rookie with lousy teammates. Post All-Star break he bumped it up to 15 ppg and 39% 3PT, and got to the line almost 4 times in 30 minutes.

He's an immature 20 year-old, yes, but that's not exactly rare in this league, and I challenge you to find better seasons from teenage point guards. The kid's still 6 months younger than Dante Exum, for example.

Thank you! I understand people don't like him due to being a Laker and the whole incident, but come on.

[Sketch5]

So LA wants a top 5 for Russell.

Three of the teams have starting quality PG's light years ahead of Russell.

One team has the #1 pick, so thats not happening.

And the other team is them....

Good luck with that.

[jpotter33]

If this were true, I'd happily go do this:


Russell, #23        => Chicago
#3, Rose            => LAL
Butler              => Boston


We get Butler straight up for #3 and #23, and keep #16 (possibly move up into the lottery again).

Chicago flips the #3 for Russell, dumps Rose's salary, and picks up another 1st rounder. So the rebuild starts with Russell, multiple 1st rounders this year, and mega cap space right away.

LAL gets to pick #2 and #3 and a 1 year look at Derrick Rose. Ingram, Dunn, Randle... or Bender... and then Westbrook + ?? next year.

If on draft night, we'd have to give up some salary to make that trade work. But that is the type of thing I'd do involving the third pick and Russell rather than keeping him.

[byennie]

If this were true, I'd happily go do this:


Russell, #23        => Chicago
#3, Rose            => LAL
Butler              => Boston


We get Butler straight up for #3 and #23, and keep #16 (possibly move up into the lottery again).

Chicago flips the #3 for Russell, dumps Rose's salary, and picks up another 1st rounder. So the rebuild starts with Russell, multiple 1st rounders this year, and mega cap space right away.

LAL gets to pick #2 and #3 and a 1 year look at Derrick Rose. Ingram, Dunn, Randle... or Bender... and then Westbrook + ?? next year.

If on draft night, we'd have to give up some salary to make that trade work. But that is the type of thing I'd do involving the third pick and Russell rather than keeping him.

Yup, we can always send out something like Amir (non-guaranteed), Young and Hunter, and maybe take back something small, but I assume that wouldn't derail us from the core deal.