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

[MVPPierceNoJoke]

Talk on a Lakers forum of the #27 pick being added to the Paul George trade package.

The alleged offer is Randle or Clarkson + 27 + 28.

Even teams looking for a rental should be able to beat that.

That is a very weak package. Danny must match that for the sake of the future draft pick

[CelticsElite]

Talk on a Lakers forum of the #27 pick being added to the Paul George trade package.

The alleged offer is Randle or Clarkson + 27 + 28.

Even teams looking for a rental should be able to beat that.

That is a very weak package. Danny must match that for the sake of the future draft pick

it's weak because LA has all the leverage. No other team wants to rent PG for a year including the celtics

[Big333223]

I'm a little surprised by how many people think this trade makes the Nets a lot worse. I don't think they'll get better necessarily, but Lopez is a bad defender, bad rebounder, and kind of a black hole. I expect they'll wind up with roughly the same record with Russell (as he continues to develop and figures out his new role in Brooklyn) as they would've with Lopez.

[MVPPierceNoJoke]

I understand that. But the Celtics are also interested in keeping the Lakers as far down as possible next season. A Rozier, Yabu, Zeller, and Memphis pick wouldn't kill the Celtics, even if it was a rental.

[mctyson]

I'm a little surprised by how many people think this trade makes the Nets a lot worse. I don't think they'll get better necessarily, but Lopez is a bad defender, bad rebounder, and kind of a black hole. I expect they'll wind up with roughly the same record with Russell (as he continues to develop and figures out his new role in Brooklyn) as they would've with Lopez.

Yeah...I am surprised anyone thinks this is bad for the Nets.  They traded an expiring contract for a 21 year old former #2 with 2 years in the league who had a 15 PER last year...he played OK!!

This was a huge steal for BK.  Props to their front office.

[mobilija]

It's hilarious that some folks are panicked about two of the worst teams trading the players that led their respective teams to the worst records in basketball might make each other better. Seems like it will have marginal impact on actual winning for next year....

[hodgy03038]

The bother angle that I am hearing is the Lakers made out GREAT in this deal to be able to unload the Mozgov contract and open the availability of huge cap space next year 64 million.

[Ilikesports17]

I'm a little surprised by how many people think this trade makes the Nets a lot worse. I don't think they'll get better necessarily, but Lopez is a bad defender, bad rebounder, and kind of a black hole. I expect they'll wind up with roughly the same record with Russell (as he continues to develop and figures out his new role in Brooklyn) as they would've with Lopez.

Yeah...I am surprised anyone thinks this is bad for the Nets.  They traded an expiring contract for a 21 year old former #2 with 2 years in the league who had a 15 PER last year...he played OK!!

This was a huge steal for BK.  Props to their front office.

Being a good trade for Brooklyn and making them worse are not mutually exclusive things. Russell is easily their most promising asset. He has a very high ceiling and will immediately be one of the best players on their team. Problem is that Lopez was by FAR the best player on their team even with his many flaws. Great trade for them long term, but they still get worse this season.

[jpotter33]

I'm a little surprised by how many people think this trade makes the Nets a lot worse. I don't think they'll get better necessarily, but Lopez is a bad defender, bad rebounder, and kind of a black hole. I expect they'll wind up with roughly the same record with Russell (as he continues to develop and figures out his new role in Brooklyn) as they would've with Lopez.

I think it's a great move for Brooklyn long-term, but I do think they're worse next year.

They're both offense-only players, but Brook is also HUGE. He averaged 1.7 blocks a game just due to his size and length. Russell, on the other hand, brings virtually nothing on the defensive side of the ball, along with less overall offense in this stage of his career.

I don't think it will be some major drop-off, but I do think they're a good deal worse next year without Lopez's veteran leadership, offense, and presence in the middle.

I do really love Russell's fit in that offensive system, though. Really excellent long-term pickup for them.

[CelticSooner]

I'm a little surprised by how many people think this trade makes the Nets a lot worse. I don't think they'll get better necessarily, but Lopez is a bad defender, bad rebounder, and kind of a black hole. I expect they'll wind up with roughly the same record with Russell (as he continues to develop and figures out his new role in Brooklyn) as they would've with Lopez.

I think it's a great move for Brooklyn long-term, but I do think they're worse next year.

They're both offense-only players, but Brook is also HUGE. He averaged 1.7 blocks a game just due to his size and length. Russell, on the other hand, brings virtually nothing on the defensive side of the ball, along with less overall offense in this stage of his career.

I don't think it will be some major drop-off, but I do think they're a good deal worse next year without Lopez's veteran leadership, offense, and presence in the middle.

I do really love Russell's fit in that offensive system, though. Really excellent long-term pickup for them.

Nailed it. 2018 is all I care about.

[trickybilly]

Kinda feel sorry for Jeremy Lin. Not sure why.

Pretty lucky that the Lakers don't have the assets to beat other PG13 deals this year (nor next, haha!).

I look forward to seeing the Ball/Terrance Ferguson/Ingram/Randle/Lopez combo. That team is primed to slot into the 2-5 sweetspot.

[Vermont Green]

People seem to be misreading one aspect of this.  The pick we got in the Philly trade is insulated from the Lakers improving.  It only conveys if it is 2-5.  That means if the Lakers get Paul George and are actually good, then we get the SAC pick.  SAC could get good too how likely is that.

For Brooklyn, getting Russell is a good trade for the long term but I don't think they are any better next season.  That should still be a very good pick.

I like the trade or maybe a better way to say it is I find it entertaining that the two teams whose picks we have make a big trade.  Our picks are fine.

[mctyson]

I'm a little surprised by how many people think this trade makes the Nets a lot worse. I don't think they'll get better necessarily, but Lopez is a bad defender, bad rebounder, and kind of a black hole. I expect they'll wind up with roughly the same record with Russell (as he continues to develop and figures out his new role in Brooklyn) as they would've with Lopez.

Yeah...I am surprised anyone thinks this is bad for the Nets.  They traded an expiring contract for a 21 year old former #2 with 2 years in the league who had a 15 PER last year...he played OK!!

This was a huge steal for BK.  Props to their front office.

Being a good trade for Brooklyn and making them worse are not mutually exclusive things. Russell is easily their most promising asset. He has a very high ceiling and will immediately be one of the best players on their team. Problem is that Lopez was by FAR the best player on their team even with his many flaws. Great trade for them long term, but they still get worse this season.

There are plenty of people in this thread who said they don't like this move for Brooklyn.  That is what I am referring to.

Unless you hate Russel, which is play thus far in the NBA does not warrant in my opinion, there is zero reason to not love this for BK.

[Big333223]

I'm a little surprised by how many people think this trade makes the Nets a lot worse. I don't think they'll get better necessarily, but Lopez is a bad defender, bad rebounder, and kind of a black hole. I expect they'll wind up with roughly the same record with Russell (as he continues to develop and figures out his new role in Brooklyn) as they would've with Lopez.

I think it's a great move for Brooklyn long-term, but I do think they're worse next year.

They're both offense-only players, but Brook is also HUGE. He averaged 1.7 blocks a game just due to his size and length. Russell, on the other hand, brings virtually nothing on the defensive side of the ball, along with less overall offense in this stage of his career.

I don't think it will be some major drop-off, but I do think they're a good deal worse next year without Lopez's veteran leadership, offense, and presence in the middle.

I do really love Russell's fit in that offensive system, though. Really excellent long-term pickup for them.

Definitely agree its a terrific long term pickup for the Nets and I'm not worried about it making them better next season but I guess I just rate Lopez a lot lower than you. As a plodding 7 footer who can't rebound or play defense, I think he hurt the Nets as much as helped.

Russell won't improve their record immediately, either, but I don't see it as a talent downgrade. Especially if Russell improves at all.

[Surferdad]

People seem to be misreading one aspect of this.  The pick we got in the Philly trade is insulated from the Lakers improving.  It only conveys if it is 2-5.  That means if the Lakers get Paul George and are actually good, then we get the SAC pick.  SAC could get good too how likely is that.

For Brooklyn, getting Russell is a good trade for the long term but I don't think they are any better next season.  That should still be a very good pick.

I like the trade or maybe a better way to say it is I find it entertaining that the two teams whose picks we have make a big trade.  Our picks are fine.

The Sac pick (if it comes to that) is #1 protected at least.  Any more than that?