Lakers rumors: 3 Ways Los Angeles can win a rumored D'Angelo Russell trade

3. Find a better backcourt fit

The most ideal outcome from a potential D'Angelo Russell trade would be to acquire an upgrade at his position. This isn't necessarily to say that they must be more talented or even more productive, but instead that the Los Angeles Lakers need to acquire a better fit for what they're building.

Whether that means trading Russell for another player straight up or including him as a part of a package that nets a star-caliber player all comes down to what's available.

An example of the latter outcome would be Los Angeles utilizing Russell's expiring $18,692,307 contract to facilitate a trade for a player such as Darius Garland, Anfernee Simons, or Trae Young. He could provide a short-term solution for a team looking to restructure its roster, while also making the outgoing finances match for Los Angeles.

In addition to helping the finances align, Russell's inclusion could mean limiting the loss of valued talent—ideally enabling the Lakers to keep one of Rui Hachimura or Austin Reaves.

If Russell were moved for a player who isn't quite on that star-caliber level, it could mean not having to part ways with either Hachimura or Reaves. In either scenario, the goal would be to find a player who fits long-term at a crucial position—which, as of this moment, Russell simply doesn't.

Whether it's a star like Garland, Simons, or Young, or a high-level role player who simply fits the Lakers' culture and plays on a multi-year deal, finding a better backcourt option should be priority No. 1 in a potential Russell trade.