Grade the trade: Lakers send D'Angelo Russell to Raptors in proposed pitch

Los Angeles Lakers grade: B

This is not the best player that the Lakers could acquire for a package like this. In a perfect world, the Lakers would be able to send a similar trade package to the Portland Trail Blazers for Malcolm Brogdon. That being said, Bruce Brown would not be an awful contingency plan.

Brown may not have the scoring ceiling that Russell has but he is a winning player who can give the Lakers 80% of Russell's offense while also being a far better defender. The Lakers would not have a true point guard right away, but once Gabe Vincent returns, a solid starting lineup really starts to take shape.

A starting five of Vincent, Austin Reaves, Brown, LeBron James and Anthony Davis can be dangerous, especially with Rui Hachimura, Jarred Vanderbilt, and others coming off the bench.

Toronto Raptors grade: C-

Bruce Brown is not going to have as much trade value as he should have on paper with his talent level. Brown has a club option after this season and the Raptors don't seem like they have any intention of keeping him around next year. That naturally limits his trade value.

This trade falls into the right range of Brown's value, but it is unclear what it really does for Toronto. Adding D'Lo to this roster does nothing and you could even make the case that it might hamper Scottie Barnes' development. The last thing Toronto needs is another guard who wants to come in, get his shots up, and will complain if he doesn't.

Hood-Schifino has value but is that value worth the risk of trading for Russell? That is the real question. But that might not even be a question Toronto is pondering if the team is interested in adding Russell to the mix.