With the Los Angeles Lakers seemingly set to use their no.2 overall pick for Lonzo Ball of UCLA, Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News explored the possibility of the Dallas Mavericks trading for former second-overall pick D’Angelo Russell. In a recent live chat session, Sefko answered several questions related to the Mavs’ off-season plan, including a potential trade involving a former lottery pick.
Mavs pursuing Russell
Although Sefko believes a Russell to Mavs scenario is not out of the realm of possibility, any transaction involving the no.2 overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft would be a bit pricey.
There is no denying the Mavericks are searching for their point guard of the future, and their main objective heading into this year’s draft is to find one that fits the mold. But at no.9 pick, the chance of running out of quality playmaking prospect is high.
According to Sefko, the Mavs could explore a potential trade for Russell only if they ran out of option in the draft. The Lakers might entertain trade offers for the former Ohio State Buckeyes standout, but they are expected to ask a steep price for Russell, who averaged at least 14 points, 4 assists and 3 rebounds in two full NBA seasons.
“If the draft does not yield one of those point guards that they like, then you can be certain they will be talking with the Lakers.
But here's the problem: what will LA want in return. You're going to have to give up a ton for the No. 2 pick in the 2015 draft,” per Sefko.
In addition, the Lakers front-office tandem of Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka has not yet given up on Russell’s development. They are confident Russell can co-exist with Ball – who is a pass-first playmaker – on that backcourt.
After all, Russell has a good height at 6-foot-5 and shooting percent at 35.5 percent 3-point shooting to thrive at off-guard position.
Lonzo-Russell has that Lillard-McCollum ceiling
Kevin O’Connor of the Ringer thinks the potential partnership of Lonzo Ball and D’Angelo Russell on the Lakers’ backcourt has all the tools to become as potent as the Damian Lillard and C.J McCollum one-two punch in Portland.
Unfortunately, like the Blazers’ pair has been dealing with the past two seasons, defense is going to be a problem.
“Ball competes but has a thin frame that could limit him against stronger guards. He’s someone] you want to hide on a more limited scorer. A Russell-Ball or Russell-Fultz duo could theoretically become as potent as Portland’s Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum, but as the Portland pair has shown, offense isn’t everything,” O’Connor noted.
Regardless of how porous the defense will be with this pairing, the the Lonzo-to-Russell connection connection is poised to be one of the most dynamic backcourt tandems in the NBA. Lonzo can electrify the crowd with his incredible court vision and athleticism, while Russell has the capacity to shoot the lights out with his smooth jumper.
