Should Lakers Consider Trading Hot & Cold Star Point Guard?

D’Angelo Russell’s second stint at the Los Angeles Lakers It may not last long this season. The Lakers have now experienced their first swing of the young 2024-2025 NBA season after being blown out by 24 points against the Cleveland Cavaliers in their last game.

That marked their second successive defeat after starting the campaign unbeaten at 3-0. Several factors have contributed to Los Angeles’ up-and-down start, but Russell has been the common denominator who has consistently impressed thus far.

Lakers D’Angelo Russell is not playing at his All-Star caliber this season

The former 2019 NBA All-Star took a shot below 40 percent from the field in four of LA’s five games so far. He has also provided more than five assists only once. Most importantly, Russell boasts a connection rate of around 25 percent from three-point range.

The silver lining to the Ohio State product’s season so far is his flawless assist-to-turnover ratio of 5.8-1.4, but that efficient care of the ball doesn’t outweigh the impact he doesn’t has on the attack. Russell is not known for his defense, and that is compounded by his sometimes slow pace of play. That helped get him traded from the Minnesota Timberwolves to the Lakers in the 2022-2023 season, and it could be the reason he’s shipped out of Los Angeles for a second time sometime this year.

Lakers: Russell’s strengths and contract could make him a desirable trade option

Russell is a great distributor, an excellent outside shooter, and one of the few players in the Association who can be counted on to make it big in the clutch. However, as has been the case throughout his career, he faces cold spells that can sometimes last long, and he is also prone to spoiling an offense with the way he plays in the half court with the ball in his hand . .

So, the Lakers It may be wise to look for a franchise to take the 28-year-old off their hands and compensate them with a player who can fill one of their other needs. Los Angeles doesn’t have a starting center and could move Russell to a team that needs point guard help in exchange for big-time talent.

Most teams are on the general floor, but ball clubs like the Portland Trail Blazers, Los Angeles Clippers and Brooklyn Nets that could use a primary or secondary playmaker could be suitable trade partners for LA, especially in their current phase of rebuilding and retooling. .

Considering Russell is only on the Lakers’ books until the end of the season and makes $18.69 million, his expiring contract could be even more attractive to other teams and allow LA to get something in return for his services , instead of possibly looking at him. walk into free agency next offseason.