Lake Show Life
Fansided

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 /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 5
Next
Los Angeles Lakers: 4 reasons trading D'Angelo Russell was the right move
Feb 16, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; NBA legend Magic Johnson laughs during the 2014 NBA All-Star Game Legends Brunch at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

Hope For The Future

How does trading away one of your young assets provide hope for the future? This may sound counteractive, but it makes sense.

Under Mitch Kupchak and Jim Buss, the Lakers had fallen into a rut. The team was stuck in what looked like it would be a long rebuild. Jeanie Buss did not like how things looked and made a change, bringing back Magic Johnson as president of basketball operations. Later on, Rob Pelinka was hired as general manager, as Kupchak and Buss were fired.

With that hire, new aired was breathed into the organization. Johnson wasted no time trying to improve the franchise’s outlook, as he committed to the team’s future. It led to landing the No. 2 overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft and an additional selection later on.

The trade of Russell shows that Johnson and Pelinka were not content with just waiting for youngsters to develop. They have kept their future intact; they still have Brandon Ingram and Julius Randle to name a few, in addition to the second overall pick. Not only that, the Lakers can become players in free agency sooner than later.

Next: 20 Greatest Individual Performances In Lakers History

The Lakers can quickly become a prime destination for free agents. Johnson and Pelinka are a big part of that, as they have shown an aggression that Kupchak and Buss hadn’t for many years.

Home/Lakers News