Yesterday saw a flurry of trade activity just days before the 2017 NBA draft. The Los Angeles Lakers made an interesting and unexpected trade that shook the NBA community. They sent young D'Angelo Russell away to the Brooklyn Nets to get one-time All-Star center Brook Lopez.
What does this trade mean for the Lakers?
The Los Angeles Lakers new front office under Magic Johnson has already made a big splash, as they traded D'Angelo Russell and Timofey Mozgov to the Brooklyn Nets for Brook Lopez and the 27th pick. Trading Russell, who they took with the number 2 pick in 2015, seems to signal that the Lakers will be taking a point guard in this year's draft with the second pick.
Dumping Mozgov's salary, the team signed him to a 4-year, $64 million contract last year, will ensure that the team has cap room to make a run at a max free agent next summer.
Acquiring Brook Lopez gives the Lakers a much more dynamic scoring option at center compared to Mozgov, Tarik Black or Ivica Zubac. Last season Lopez averaged 20.5 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.7 blocks, which would have led the Lakers in each of those categories. He also has developed a three-point shot, shooting 134-387 (34.6%) last season. Prior to this, he had been 3-31 (9.67%) in his first eight seasons. This should make Lopez a good fit in coach Luke Walton's up-tempo, Warriors-esque offense.
Where do the Nets go from here?
The Brooklyn Nets have now parted ways with their all-time leading scorer in franchise history and best player in Brook Lopez.
Considering they were the worst team in the NBA last season at 20-62 (.244%), trading away their best player will ensure that they will again give the Boston Celtics a great chance at the number one pick in the 2018 NBA draft. Mozgov was just part of the trade for the team to take on a salary dump, though he should be a solid starting center or role player for them.
Odds are he will likely be dumped at some point because of his salary.
D'Angelo Russell is the prize for the Nets in this deal, as the shooting guard is only 21 and has a lot of potential. Last season for the Lakers he averaged 15.6 points and 4.8 assists. This should at least give the Nets a possibly interesting backcourt dynamic if Jeremy Lin can stay healthy.
The team went 11-12 after he came back on March 1st and he did average 14.5 points and 5.1 assists. In the event that Russell and Lin are incompatible together, Lin would likely be dealt, leaving the Nets with the hope that Russell turns into a superstar and not much else.
