Los Angeles Lakers: Too soon to trade D'Angelo Russell

Drafting Lonzo Ball could put an end to D’Angelo Russell’s career with the Los Angeles Lakers, but maybe the Purple and Gold should be a little bit patient.

As soon as the world knew that the Los Angeles Lakers got the second overall pick in the 2017 NBA draft, rumors of teams inquiring about D’Angelo Russell started to surface.

While it is widely assumed that the Lakers will use the pick to select local hero Lonzo Ball (barring some Celtic interference), it is not equally clear how his coming would affect the rest of the team, especially with a backcourt crowded with talented young guards.

It is natural that Lakers’ front office will land offers for starting point guard and former second overall pick Russell and assess his value on the trade market.

Ball, for the talented pure point guard he is, will certainly take over the starting spot, but it would be a mistake to already give up on Russell.

Coach Luke Walton should move him to the shooting guard position unleashing the scorer that is in him, free of the burden to administrate the team and involve every teammate.

More from Lakers News

Whether he was already thinking about the possibility of adding an elite point guard or not, Walton already tested it in the final part of the season, trying out Russell at the 2-guard, with Jordan Clarkson at the point, and things worked out pretty well. In his first night out as a shooting guard Russell had a career-high 40 point game against the defending champions Cleveland Cavaliers. How about that?

He went on for the rest of the season averaging 19.6 points attempting seven three-pointers per game, but still making the most of his passing abilities, dishing 5.4 assists a night.

I cannot wait to see the pairing of the two lottery picks in the backcourt with D’Angelo triggered by Lonzo, taking advantage of all the open looks Nick Young had this season. He could really benefit from Ball, thriving as a scorer and taking his game to the next level.

Of course, seeing him more engaged on the defensive end would help his case.

However, D’Angelo is still on his rookie scale contract and you do not find productive players at such a low price so easily, hence a trade would hardly be favorable unless general manager Rob Pelinka adds Luol Deng or Timofey Mozgov to the package.

The Lakers should take at least this coming season to evaluate the fit of Russell next to Ball and if things do not work out they still can trade him next summer.

Next: Ball's 'It' Factor May Have Boston Intrigued

What do you think? Should the Lakers trade Russell in the case of drafting Ball? Or should they hold on him to see how things unfold with Lonzo? Let us know in the comments below.

Home/Lakers News

Lakers: Too soon to trade D’Angelo Russell

By Davide Tovani | May 25, 2017

Drafting Lonzo Ball could put an end to D’Angelo Russell’s career with the Los Angeles Lakers, but maybe the Purple and Gold should be a little bit patient.