Grade the trade: Lakers pivot, send D'Angelo Russell to Brooklyn in proposed deal

Los Angeles Lakers v Atlanta Hawks
Los Angeles Lakers v Atlanta Hawks / Paras Griffin/GettyImages
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The NBA trade deadline is getting closer and closer while the Los Angeles Lakers are not getting any better. With a record under .500 heading into February, there is no denying that this team needs some kind of shake-up in the next week.

Many fans want that shake-up to be firing Darvin Ham but despite all of the passive-aggressive shots by LeBron James, it does not seem like that is going to happen during the season. Instead, the Lakers will hope to do what they did last year and change the course of the season with a strong showing at the deadline.

Unfortunately, the most sought-after trade target, Dejounte Murray, no longer seems to be a possibility. Atlanta head coach Quin Snyder is reportedly pushing to keep Murray around, which kills an already unlikely deal for the former All-Defensive guard.

The Lakers seemingly know this and may already be pivoting. According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the Lakers are also eyeing a trio of players from the Brooklyn Nets (h/t Bleacher Report).

Lakers could pivot and trade D'Angelo Russell straight-up to the Nets

Brooklyn has been mentioned in passing as a potential third team in a Murray trade if it were to happen. With that off the table, Rob Pelinka could try and do business with Sean Marks himself and make a trade directly between the two teams.

There are some interesting possibilities that emerge and a trade package that could help both teams acheive what they want to acheive. On the following pages, we will break down exactly what that trade package could be, as well as hand out grades for both the Lakers and the Nets.