Magic Johnson’s comments about Brandon Ingram being the only untouchable player on the Los Angeles Lakers’ roster put D’Angelo Russell on a trade watch. The former second overall pick put up solid numbers last season, but the Lakers are still not sold on him as a permanent fixture for their backcourt.
Russell's future with Lakers
Although David Aldridge of NBA.com reported the Lakers haven’t given up on the former Ohio State Buckeyes star, despite his lack of leadership skills, things could change really quickly once they get their hands on top-tier playmakers in the NBA Draft.
The Lakers are still reportedly high on Lonzo Ball of UCLA, but De’Aaron Fox of Kentucky is slowly but surely building his case as a legit option at no. 2.
Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News believes the Lakers will try to hold on Russell, whose 6-foot-5, 195-pound frame allows him to shift to an off-guard role. Luke Walton made some experiments on his lineup in the latter part of 2016/17 season, and one of those was pairing Russell with Jordan Clarkson. He did show flashes of potential at shooting guard shooting as he recorded his first 40-point game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. He also improved his 3-point clip to 35 percent.
Nevertheless, Sefko thinks it’s worth a shot for any team to explore a trade for Russell.
The Dallas Mavericks, who are desperately looking for their point guard of the future, might find Russell an intriguing trade target if the Lakers make him available at the draft night. Then again, the Mavs may not be able to meet the Lakers’ steep asking price since they don’t have the assets to form a competitive trade package.
D-Fox upcoming workout
Ball’s hope of becoming the second overall pick in this year’s draft will heavily depend on Fox’s performance in his upcoming private workout with the Lakers. Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News confirmed that Fox’s workout with the Lakers will happen between June 11 to June 17.
Fox, who averaged 16.7 points and 4.6 assists in his lone season with the Kentucky Wildcats, is viewed as the strongest threat to bypass Ball as the Lakers’ top pick.
Spectrum Sportsnet's Chris McGee still thinks Ball is the first choice, though he’s not the "slam-dunk" pick mock drafts perceived him to be. "I absolutely do not think it's a foregone conclusion, I actually think it's probably 50/50, 60/40 in favor of Ball in the Lakers front office. Guys love De'Aaron Fox in that front office, because what's there not to love?"
