Woj Bomb: Lakers trade Russel, Mosgov and #27 for Brook Lopez

[Rida]

Does this trade make either team better?

Again shedding Mosgov's salary is a huge win he's owed 54 million over 3 years and is a backup centre at best.

Lopez is expiring so they can make a run at Lebron next year and get George this year or in free agency next year

wow, well at least someone else is benefitting from the Nets stupidity

[max215]

This is a fantastic trade for the Nets, but it is also going to lock them in as by far the worst team in the league next year. Looks like another top-4 pick is coming our way.

[Csfan1984]

LeBron and George if they can pull it off is crazy. Id be worried Hayward goes there

[mrceltics2013]

Honestly Both teams just got better. No matter what you say, D'lo can put up points. Lopez is a good center and one Ik we could of even used. I'm slightly nervous about our draft picks.

[JBcat]

Well if the Lakers somehow get George as well and are somewhat decent on the bright side Philly will have the pick next year and have it be not at all great.

Even though it's 2 years out I feel pretty confident that Kings pick will be high lottery.

[rondofan1255]

For Brooklyn, Lopez > Deangelo so they should still be bad.

Good thing the Lakers pick is protected 6-30

[Vox_Populi]

This is a fantastic trade for the Nets, but it is also going to lock them in as by far the worst team in the league next year. Looks like another top-4 pick is coming our way.

I think Sac might be worse. But Nets will obviously, at least,  be bottom 3 again.

[Rida]

This is a fantastic trade for the Nets, but it is also going to lock them in as by far the worst team in the league next year. Looks like another top-4 pick is coming our way.

I don't see it being a great deal for the Nets, they eat the 3 years left on Mosgov's contract and get a borderline starter in Russell that doesn't understand basic defensive concepts, and is a really low IQ player.

Lopez is a free agent and they panicked to get the 27th pick.

Dont like this at all for the Nets

[Jvalin]

Really bad news for our Lakers pick.

It's possible we traded the #1 pick for #3 + a mid/late lotto pick 2 years down the road. Keep up the good work Danny boy...

[Atzar]

Interesting move.

Tells me that the Lakers either don't think Russell can play with Ball, or else just don't think much of him.  He's a former #2 pick going into his third year, and all he gets you is a one-year rental of a pseudostar?  Granted they also shed a horrible contract in the process, but...

Anyway, double-edged sword for us.  Brooklyn isn't getting any closer to winning with Russell and Mosgov on board.  The Nets and Kings should compete for the bottom spot this year, possibly joined by the Knicks if they off-load Melo and bottom out.  So that end of the trade is good.  On the other hand, Lopez may be enough to push LAL up out of that 2-5 range that we're seeking. 

[tazzmaniac]

Smart move by the Lakers.  Ball and Russell would not have been a good backcourt.  Mozgov contract gone.  Next up Deng contract.  I think they are freeing up cap space for next offseason to get a 2nd max player (Cousins?). 

[saltlover]

Also, the Lakers are now unable to trade #2 before the draft unless they get a 1st in return (assuming this deal is processed before Thursday.)

EDIT:  Nevermind, I thought the Nets were getting the Houston pick.  Instead the Lakers get our pick?  Weird move by the Nets.

I actually like this move by the Lakers the more I look at it.  They clear up max space for George next summer as an FA.  They used Russell to dump Mozgov.  Lopez is merely an expiring in return -- if he plays well and the Lakers are competitive, they can keep him through the end of the year.  If they aren't, they can still sell him off at the trade deadline for something small. And they get a 1st back.

If they were already decided to select Ball and move on from Russell because those two couldn't co-exist, they've done so in a way that makes them a little better in the short term and with significant flexibility in the long run.

Lopez' salary can also be traded straight up for George, so they haven't precluded themselves from that trade, and now have an additional pick to offer.

[max215]

This is a fantastic trade for the Nets, but it is also going to lock them in as by far the worst team in the league next year. Looks like another top-4 pick is coming our way.

I don't see it being a great deal for the Nets, they eat the 3 years left on Mosgov's contract and get a borderline starter in Russell that doesn't understand basic defensive concepts, and is a really low IQ player.

Lopez is a free agent and they panicked to get the 27th pick.

Dont like this at all for the Nets

I just still believe that Russell can be very good. He's bad defensively? Whatever, that's survivable from a guard. I'm obviously concerned about his lack of athleticism and inability to get to the rim because of that, but he's a very skilled scorer and passer. For a team that has had no hope and didn't appear to have any on the horizon, D'Angelo, in my mind, represents a tangible shot at future success.

[tazzmaniac]

This is a fantastic trade for the Nets, but it is also going to lock them in as by far the worst team in the league next year. Looks like another top-4 pick is coming our way.

I don't see it being a great deal for the Nets, they eat the 3 years left on Mosgov's contract and get a borderline starter in Russell that doesn't understand basic defensive concepts, and is a really low IQ player.

Lopez is a free agent and they panicked to get the 27th pick.

Dont like this at all for the Nets

The Nets gave up the 27th pick.  So the Lakers have 27 and 28 now. 

[td450]

Woz says LA is looking to shed Lopez, not keep him