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Los Angeles Lakers: 4 reasons trading D’Angelo Russell was the right move

By Kenneth Teape

Mar 9, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard D'Angelo Russell (1) dribbles against the Phoenix Suns during the first half at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 9, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard D'Angelo Russell (1) dribbles against the Phoenix Suns during the first half at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /
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Los Angeles Lakers: 4 reasons trading D'Angelo Russell was the right move
Jan 5, 2017; Portland, OR, USA; Los Angeles Lakers center Timofey Mozgov (20) drives to the basket on Portland Trail Blazers center Mason Plumlee (24) during the first quarter of the game at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports /

Cleared Cap Space

Arguably the biggest takeaway from this trade for the Lakers is the fact that they were able to dump Timofey Mozgov’s albatross of a contract. What that means for the Lakers is loads of cap space in the coming seasons.

By dumping Mozgov on the Nets, the Lakers shed the $54 million remaining on his contract, which they will reap the benefits of next offseason; Brook Lopez is on an expiring contract, so the Lakers will save a ton of money.

This is a big deal for the Lakers. They could potentially have enough cap space next offseason to land not only one but two max players. That kind of financial flexibility is something every NBA team would love to have. The Lakers were able to accomplish that.

While some people may say trading Russell is a steep price to accomplish that, their tone would change if the Lakers landed a combo such as Paul George and LeBron James.

Clearing cap space gives a team more flexibility. The Lakers could facilitate more trades with the available money if they choose to. The opportunities are virtually endless for the Lakers if they have money to spend. Hopefully, it turns out better than Luol Deng and Mozgov next time around.

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