The Lakers are trying to set up a meeting with free agent point guard D’Angelo Russell, tweets ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. L.A. officials have contacted Russell’s CAA agents, Austin Brown and Aaron Mintz, and Wojnarowski cites mutual interest between both parties.
The Lakers are looking for another star to form a Big Three in Los Angeles alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Their interest in Russell could depend on how they do with other targets such as Kawhi Leonard and Jimmy Butler.
A restricted free agent for now, Russell is expected to be renounced by the Nets once they finalize an agreement with Kyrie Irving. Russell just completed an All-Star season in Brooklyn, posting a 21.1/3.9/7.0 line in 81 games.
Russell spent his first two NBA seasons with the Lakers after being selected with the second pick in the 2015 draft. He clashed with teammates and was criticized by former team president Magic Johnson before being shipped to Brooklyn to unload Timofey Mozgov‘s contract.
I hope there’s a way for him to do a sign and trade to the T-Wolves. It’s a long shot but I like that move if possible.
Yes I agree the twolves also need to get rid of Teague as well. Dieng has an awful contract too. It sucks to be a wolves fan rn cuz we aren’t gonna be able to sign anyone good for a year or two
Why and for whom?
Coming from a nets fan I don’t see it happening. I don’t think the nets are willing to give up another possible max player to get Andrew Wiggins and his atrocious contract
Would have to get a third team involved in order to flip Wiggins.
Or Teague and RoCo. Diengs contract is just brutal. They need to trade him for JR. At this point its worth a 1st. He has no value.
He’ll be a nice add no matter where he winds up.
The Lakers may have traded DLo to make cap room for DLo.
I’ve been saying it and I really hope it happens. Sign Russell and someone like Beverly or Green or Reddick and your starting 5 is locked in. Then add depth to the bench. Spread that money around.
If they sign Russell, they’ll have 5M. You think Beverley or Redick is playing for that? If they sign Russell, they have no money to spread around.
Would rather have kawhi but if he stays with raptors this should be 2. Option.
Russell sounds like a very good back up contingency plan. From what a lot of the sports radio shows out west are saying is Russell is going to be their safety net if they strike out on Leonard and Butler.
We don’t want a backup! We have 32 million for 1 reason Max player!
I agree that’s the purpose but if we miss on Leonard and Butler there has been a lot of talk the Lakers might spread that money amongst two players to balance out the roster do not get me wrong if the Lakers land Leonard or Butler I would do cart wheels but for a more balanced attack Russell might be a smart move as well.
As long as Nick Young remains far away, everything should be fine.