D'Angelo Russell trade rumor offers enlightening update on market value

The Los Angeles Lakers are approaching the proverbial crossroads with point guard D'Angelo Russell. Russell, a nine-year veteran who ranks among the most productive players at his position, has been a common inclusion in trade rumors for the better part of his Lakers tenure.

As Los Angeles searches for a path toward improvement, it appears as though utilizing Russell as a trade asset isn't yet a viable option.

Russell was acquired by the Lakers in 2023 as a part of the trade that sent Mike Conley and Nickeil Alexander-Walker to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Russell has been profoundly productive in the regular season, but that doesn't seem to be intriguing opposing general managers.

According to Jovan Buha of The Athletic, the Portland Trail Blazers aren't interested in acquiring Russell as a part of a potential Jerami Grant trade.

"I’ve heard Portland doesn’t want D-Lo because they have a million guards anyway. So, it just doesn’t really make sense for them."

That doesn't necessarily mean that Russell is without a potentially viable trade suitor, but it certainly complicates the matter of moving him.

Lakers continue to find suitors for D'Angelo Russell

Los Angeles has been actively shopping Russell since he accepted his player option for the 2024-25 season. He did so on June 29, marking a month of failed attempts to find a trade partner who can provide requisite value or even take him off the Lakers' hands.

It's possible that Russell will become easier to trade once the trade deadline approaches, as his expiring deal could be of value to a team looking to match or shed salary.

In saying that, Buha's report is yet another disappointing revelation in what's been a quiet offseason for the Lakers. It's been reported that the organization will attempt to make a trade closer to the start of the 2024-25 season, with the goal appearing to be consolidation.

In that scenario, the Lakers would find a trade partner who would be willing to swap players and possible draft picks in order to better define the roles on their roster.

Russell could be included in a trade at that time, but there may yet be reason to reevaluate. The impact of the fractured relationship between Russell and former head coach Darvin Ham likely impacted the results produced on the court.

Even still, Russell averaged 18.0 points, 6.3 assists, 3.1 rebounds, 0.9 steals, and 3.0 three-point field goals made on .456/.415/.828 shooting in 2023-24.

Unfortunately, Russell's postseason shortcomings have become the dominant conversation in regard to his future with the Lakers. As Los Angeles attempts to win another championship during the closing window of the Anthony Davis and LeBron James pairing, it's easy to understand why.

As the Lakers struggle to find the right trade, however, the odds of Russell having a shot at redemption are increasing exponentially.