Bombshell NBA news guarantees D’Angelo Russell’s fate with Lakers

As long as the salary cap cooperates, the Los Angeles Lakers’ backcourt will undergo a seismic overhaul this offseason. The first order of business is finding a sign-and-trade partner for D’Angelo Russell, who’s eligible to sign a two-year, $67.5 million extension by the end of June.

While ESPN’s Zach Lowe recently shared on “The Lowe Podcast” that there are “corners of the organization” that would like Russell back due to the Lakers’ shortage of point guards, it’s hard to envision the 27-year-old returning to LA after he played himself out of the playoff rotation against the Nuggets.

Luckily for Rob Pelinka, Chris Paul is available to sign after the Suns notified the veteran point guard he’ll be waived. This makes Paul one of the top free agents this summer, and you have to presume LeBron will give Pelinka and company the green light to pursue the 12-time All-Star.

The move sent shockwaves around the Association for obvious reasons, and all but confirms Russell won’t be back with the purple and gold.

Bombshell Chris Paul news confirms D’Angelo Russell won’t be back with the Lakers

We don’t mean to pile on, but Russell’s playoff shortcomings were detrimental to the Lakers’ championship hopes.

He notched 25 points against the Nuggets (for the series) and the team was -47 in his minutes. It’s also noteworthy the team played with more cohesiveness in the Conference Semifinals against the Warriors when Russell wasn’t on the court.

Paul’s propensity to get injured in the playoffs might dissuade a large contingent of Lakers fans, but he’s a proven big-game player. Though 38 years old, Paul is fresh off averaging 13.9 points, 4.3 rebounds and 8.9 assists while shooting 44% from the floor and 37.5% on threes.

Only James Harden, Trae Young and Nikola Jokić averaged more assists per game this season than Paul, who’s just one season removed from taking home the gold in that department with 10.8 dishes per game.

The 18-year vet would bring needed balance to a Lakers offense that oftentimes relied on isolation to create scoring opportunities. Paul’s creativity would give Anthony Davis better looks in the post and his ability to penetrate defenses will create more spacing for LeBron and Austin Reaves to go to work.

Paul wouldn’t solve all of the Lakers’ problems, but his mere presence on the free agent market suggests Russell’s second stint in Hollywood has run its course.

That alone is a reason for Lakers fans to celebrate.

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