Lakers' ideal point guard: Malcolm Brogdon
Malcolm Brogdon has bounced around the league in recent years and there is a really good chance that he will be moved again at the trade deadline. Brogdon is on an expiring deal and there is no reason for Portland to keep him for the rest of the season.
Because of the fact that he is on an expiring, and with his injury concerns, the price to trade for Brogdon is not going to be that high. He also is not on a massive contract, so the Lakers can easily construct a deal around D'Angelo Russell to make it work.
That should ultimately be the trade that the Lakers are looking to make. It is clear that Russell has fallen out of favor with Darvin Ham and getting a guard who actually plays a winning style of basketball in the playoffs (which Brogdon does) would be better for the team.
There is actually a really fun three-team trade idea that can check off multiple boxes for several teams. The Lakers can get Brogdon and ship Russell to the San Antonio Spurs. San Antonio desperately needs a point guard and just adding Russell could be a good way to aid in Victor Wembanyama's development.
Portland can get Jalen Hood-Schifino (the equivalent of a first-round pick), Doug McDermott and some second-round picks for Brogdon. That maintains Portland's financial flexibility while giving the team a young asset and some draft capital.