D'Angelo Russell's getting traded now(?)

[milesfides]

Top 2 pick, either Fultz or, more likely, Ball. Both point guards.

It was reported that teams were putting together trade packages for D'Angelo Russell.

Magic just said tonight that the Lakers were looking to build around Brandon Ingram. Wow.

Considering how Paul George is likely to be a Laker within a year, and with Brandon Ingram, the wings are set, as is point guard.

The writing is on the wall...

Ball, Ingram, George.

D'Angelo is gone.

But for whom? What forwards or center?

I'd like to think he'll be traded for Porzingis. Who else would make sense?

[Michael Lucky]

Or so you hope. I see it more likely that Russell becomes our SG and that Paul George goes somewhere else where he can end up contending immediately. If Boston doesn't get Hayward, i would be shocked that they don't get PG. They have all the future picks and motivation to get the trade done during the season.

[Slava]

Walton played Russell at SG last season and it clicked for him. I don't see how Ball or George would replace Russell. Someone who makes 3s at an elite rate off catch and shoot opportunities will work with anyone. Teams are going to enquire and for good reason, he is a talented scorer who is on the verge of a breakout season but half the offers will be low balled ones hoping to catch a new front office off guard.

[TyCobb]

It would be a shame if he did get moved. He will be great getting fed spotting up behind the 3 point line by Lonzo--and we all know how much he loves launching 3 pointers.

Now trading Randle for Markkanen on the other hand...

[milesfides]

It has nothing to do with hope; it has everything to do with Luke Walton, Magic Johnson, and all the respectable pundits around the league stating that he has no clear position, he's not their franchise player, and that he's expendable.

Magic threw him under the bus, and teams are lining up for him.

You're delusional if you think Danny Ainge would give up anything for George. He'll get burned.

George was already hellbent on coming to the Lakers even before the draft. And tonight, we just got the most valuable asset on our roster.

I like Russell a lot; if we got the 3rd pick, I'd be looking to move it to upgrade at other positions. But Lonzo Ball makes him expendable.

Read the news, this is happening.

[Spens1]

Russell is moving to S.G, you know, his natural position (instead of trying to make him a damn P.G).

One of the P.G's coming in will be the best thing for Russell, really.

If anyone is gone, its Clarkson (and after this season he kind of deserves it).

[TheHartBreakKid]

Lonzo might be a point guard on offense, he has that potential, but he isn't guarding opposing point guards. Considering DLO isn't exactly a sure thing as a primary ball handler, and actually shows more potential off the ball on offense, I think Ball getting drafted here will have nothing but positive effects on Dlo's future as a Laker. Now, Fultz might have lead to a decision having to be made, but they still could have worked it out, imo.


I'm not sure who would be the odd man out if we get George without having to give up any of the 3 number 2 picks we have drafted, but I could say with Confidence that we are never going to role out Ball/Ingram/George at 1-2-3....we are way more likely to stick with Dlo and start George and Ingram at 3-4 if we are lucky enough to get PG. I'm not saying that's an ideal lineup either, and I'm not saying Dlo is untradable....I'm just saying a Ball/Ingram or a Ball/George backcourt is very unlikely in the modern nba where going small is ideal.

[TheHartBreakKid]

Russell is moving to S.G, you know, his natural position (instead of trying to make him a damn P.G).

One of the P.G's coming in will be the best thing for Russell, really.

If anyone is gone, its Clarkson (and after this season he kind of deserves it).

I see it like this.....Dlo guards opposing pgs (which IIRC stats show he does a solid job at), while Lonzo guards opposing SG's, and PG duties on offense are split but probably Lonzo would be the primary ball handler.

If anything, I want B.I to bulk up so he can guard other 4's if we can get PG. Russell/Lonzo/PG/Ingram has a lot of work to do defenisvely, but that's a very impressive offensive 1-4 with shooting, passing, and off ball play.

[Spens1]

Russell is moving to S.G, you know, his natural position (instead of trying to make him a damn P.G).

One of the P.G's coming in will be the best thing for Russell, really.

If anyone is gone, its Clarkson (and after this season he kind of deserves it).

I see it like this.....Dlo guards opposing pgs (which IIRC stats show he does a solid job at), while Lonzo guards opposing SG's, and PG duties on offense are split but probably Lonzo would be the primary ball handler.

If anything, I want B.I to bulk up so he can guard other 4's if we can get PG. Russell/Lonzo/PG/Ingram has a lot of work to do defenisvely, but that's a very impressive offensive 1-4 with shooting, passing, and off ball play.

i'd say make Ball the primary defender out of the two, he's a good perimeter defender (at least he should be) whilst Russell is anything but that. Ball should be getting the tougher assignments out of the two.

[milesfides]

Russell has a lot of value; we'll get something really good for him.

But Russell "clicking" at shooting guard is an major overstatement. He can't defend at either position, and as a catch and shooter? You're looking at a Lou Williams role without Lou Williams talent.

Nobody is looking at Russell as a viable 3-and-D wing or an elite anything shooting guard. All his advantages are at point guard: vision, size, and getting his shot off.

The switch to shooting guard was very mixed at best, and really ... he played mostly the same.

He's talented, but having Ball, Ingram, and George makes him way more valuable filling team needs.

[TheHartBreakKid]

Sorry for the multiple posts....but regarding the OP. I think Dlo and Lonzo's personalities might be a bigger issue that could possibility lead to Dlo being moved.


It's way too soon to worry about this stuff, but Lonzo/Dlo in the backcourt, with Lavar's likely involvement, can be a formula for drama. In terms of purely on the court, I think they actually fit very well though.

[Slava]

Russell has a lot of value; we'll get something really good for him.

But Russell "clicking" at shooting guard is an major overstatement. He can't defend at either position, and as a catch and shooter? You're looking at a Lou Williams role without Lou Williams talent.

Nobody is looking at Russell as a viable 3-and-D wing or an elite anything shooting guard. All his advantages are at point guard: vision, size, and getting his shot off.

The switch to shooting guard was very mixed at best, and really ... he played mostly the same.

He's talented, but having Ball, Ingram, and George makes him way more valuable filling team needs.

Your arguments are not even consistent. Lou Williams was never a catch and shoot guy or a playmaker like Russell, he has always been an on the ball scorer. I'm not sure why he is coming into a comparison for Russell. Watching Ball's deficiencies negotiating screen and rolls, Russell is a borderline necessity to run those plays so Ball can get some catch and shoot opportunities himself.

Trade him because he is not a franchise player? That doesn't make sense again. You trade a player when you think he is going to net more in value than he does by being on the team. That's not the case with Russell.

You seem to really want this to happen and I know you will go against logic and reason to argue anything to death.

[Spens1]

Sorry for the multiple posts....but regarding the OP. I think Dlo and Lonzo's personalities might be a bigger issue that could possibility lead to Dlo being moved.


It's way too soon to worry about this stuff, but Lonzo/Dlo in the backcourt, with Lavar's likely involvement, can be a formula for drama. In terms of purely on the court, I think they actually fit very well though.

Lonzo himself seems like he's got a very good personality, its his father thats the issue there.

D'Lo may be the one with the attitude problem out of the two but i doubt its bad enough that it would lead to clashing.

[stan francisco]

I hope the news is wrong.

D Lo stays.

Didn't Lonzo quit on his team in his last game? Don't need that kind of attitude here. J Jackson or trade the pick!!!

[Tee212]

I hope not! it took john wall 7-8 years to get this far. they can build with both dlo sg and ball pg.

[NBAWestFan]

I would rather have Fox or Jackson and move Randle who contract will be up first.

Fox PG
Dlo SG
PG13
Ingram
Nance

or

DLo
PG13
Jackson
Ingram
Nance

[doozyj]

DLo is sliding over to SG where he will thrive as a shooter. Lavar will be just a fan like the rest of us. Nothing else to see here.

[milesfides]

The only thing illogical is thinking Russell has a role with Ball, Ingram, and George. He doesn't.

My point is that Russell's only role would be Lou Williams's off the bench, except 1) he doesn't have Lou's skill set to fit that role 2) it would murder Russell's value as a potentially elite point guard.

What, you're arguing Russell has a future as a catch and shoot shooting guard? You might as well agree with me and all the surrounding news and trade him right now. No, I actually value him more than you do; he's a potential all-star at point guard. He loses all the advantages at shooting guard; he no longer has size on his opponent - he'll just be slow. He can't play defense against elite wings, he doesn't get to the line, he will simply do what he does, which is shoot threes at a mediocre rate whenever he can.

Russell didn't even have a clear role with only Clarkson and Williams around him. With Ball, Magic-anointed Ingram, and George?

Forget it.

You're not arguing against me. You're arguing against Luke Walton who lost confidence in him, Magic Johnson who never had confidence in him, and Rob Pelinka who has the 1-2-3 spots already lined up.

He's a goner.

Keeping him would only kill his value.

[Slava]

No, I'm actually listing different playing sets where they could work well together. Luke's frustration on offense was with the tempo, Ball solves that. D'Angelo gives you a shot maker who can run pick and rolls as well as a PG while playing on or off the ball depending on what the defense gives.

If you need writing practice, you can always stick to more abstract topics where you are free to write an opinion piece disregarding all else. Basketball has moved on from that.

[milesfides]

I am talking about basketball - how exactly do you see D-angelo playing elite defense against the league's top wings?

How well has he played at shooting guard? Look at his plus/minus since the switch. Pure misery.

P.S. I've been giving you free lessons on writing and logic this entire time. Try to show some gratitude.