Los Angeles Lakers: Signing D’Angelo Russell helps present and future

Here is why D’Angelo Russell would be good for the Los Angeles Lakers in both the present and the future.

The possibility of the Los Angeles Lakers bringing back D’Angelo Russell is gaining more traction by the day.

If Russell is willing to sign, the Lakers could create a core of LeBron James, D’Angelo Russell, Anthony Davis and Kyle Kuzma. With those four that would allow LA to compete with anyone in the league, even with a veteran minimum at the four such as Carmelo Anthony.

What this more importantly allows Los Angeles is the opportunity to compete short-term but also think long-term. James missed a significant amount of time last year for the first time in his career, so signs of wear and tear could be catching up.

When healthy, James still showed why he has been the best basketball player on the planet for over a decade, and this team needs him to be at his best to win a championship. Father Time is undefeated, and will eventually catch up to LeBron as well.

The Lakers can look at about a three-year window with LeBron James still going strong. But by creating a core that is young around him, they have the chance to win a championship with LeBron and also after LeBron hangs up the shoes.

D’Angelo Russell is 23-years-old, he is an All-Star, and has shown to be one of the best clutch time players in the league. Add in that Anthony Davis is only 26 and is recognized as one of the best players in basketball, as shown by his six All-Star appearances, three first team all-NBA selections and being one of the best defenders in basketball.

The duo of Davis and Russell is already reason for hope in the future, but you also add in Kyle Kuzma, who is 23, and that trio is as good as they come. Talen Horton-Tucker was also a steal in the second round, that could turn out to provide great value on a small contract for cap efficiency.

If you look at young teams with bright futures, you think of teams such as the Atlanta Hawks, Chicago Bulls, Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, Memphis Grizzlies, Milwaukee Bucks, New Orleans Pelicans, Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns and the Sacramento Kings. What do all those teams have in common with the exception of the Nuggets, Bucks and 76ers? None of those teams have the ability to win now, while also setting themselves up to win in the future.

Now look at teams that are built to win now, such as the Boston Celtics, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder, Toronto Raptors and Utah Jazz. Each of these teams, don’t have as much flexibility to win now, while also having an opportunity to win in five years. The Raptors are getting older and have the cloud of Kawhi Leonard hanging over their future.

The West wide open due to the uncertainty of the Golden State Warriors and with the Houston Rockets having internal problems. Signing Russell could be what the Lakers, need even if it means sacrificing a majority of their cap to three players.

James’ window will continue to close with each passing year. So the Lakers will do whatever they can to get him a ring. But with the route they’re going, they could do that while also setting themselves up to win down the line as well.

Signing D’Angelo Russell could be the boost the Lakers need. 23-year-old stars don’t come around often, so LA should put all their eggs in one basket.