Lakers Trade Rumors 2016: Julius Randle, D’Angelo Russell, Young Core Likely Staying
The Lakers seem unlikely to break up their young core of talent before the 2016 NBA Trade Deadline
Much of the 2015-16 season for the Los Angeles Lakers has been based in unrest, whether that be because of the front office, coaching, or the poor performance by the players. Subsequently, there’s a feeling that a major overreaction could be coming ahead of the 2016 NBA Trade Deadline for the Lakers, specifically the front office shipping out a player like D’Angelo Russell, Jordan Clarkson, or Julius Randle might actually be in the cards.
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However, the latest rumor around the league seems to indicate that Lakers fans shouldn’t be worried about that at all. Though the young players would have the most trade value of anyone on the roster, any anxiety can assumedly be put to rest.
According to Dan Woike of the Orange County Register, the Lakers don’t consider Russell, Randle, Clarkson, and Larry Nance Jr. “untouchable” by any stretch, but that the belief around the NBA is that the core of four young players won’t be going anywhere at the deadline. Lakers fans can collectively now breathe a deep sigh of relief.
Not that there were many fans that were too worried that the Lakers front office would trade any of those players, it’s at least a comforting notion that the prevailing thought right now is that they aren’t going to do anything monumentally stupid.
If they do keep that core together, though, the key for the Lakers and their future will be making sure that they are developing these young players through the final 27 games of the regular season. While keeping such talented, youthful players on the roster is the sensible move regardless, it’s a much more effective strategy to help rebuild the team if those players are getting the minutes and coaching needed to properly progress.
Next: 3 Reasons Lakers Won't Make Deal at Trade Deadline
In essence, Mitch Kupchak and company seem to be doing their part to not do anything stupid—now the spotlight is on Byron Scott to not foul things up from this point forward, or even more so than he already has this year.