If D’Angelo Russell is leaving the Lakers before the February 8 trade deadline, he’s doing his best to raise his value on the way out, writes Dan Woike of The Los Angeles Times. Russell had 34 points and eight assists in Sunday’s romp over Portland and has averaged 27.2 PPG while shooting nearly 54% from three-point range since being reinserted into the starting lineup five games ago.
“I’ve always been like that, recognizing my superpower,” Russell said. “Everybody in the league has one. It might be defensive or just a motor but everyone has one. For me, ever since I was a young kid, I always found myself kinda getting hot throughout the game where I might score five, six points right away. Maybe score 10 in a quarter or something like that and score 10, 12 points the last three minutes of the game. It’s just my superpower.”
The contract Russell signed last summer has led to the trade speculation because it’s a valuable tool for salary-matching purposes. Russell is making $17.3MM this season with an $18.7MM player option for 2024/25 and is a strong candidate to be included in any significant deal. But Woike notes that the Lakers looked fine on Sunday if they decide to hold onto their point guard.
“Tonight was one of the most complete games I’ve seen him play since he’s been back in the Laker uniform,” coach Darvin Ham said of Russell. “He was great on defense, great with his activity, great on and off the ball offensively. He was huge.”
There’s more on the Lakers:
- Cam Reddish played 21 minutes Sunday night as he returned to the court after sitting out a week to recover from a left knee effusion, notes Broderick Turner of The Los Angeles Times. The rest also helped Reddish heal from a groin injury, and he said he plans to keep working on rehab so he doesn’t have to miss more time. “I definitely have to stay on top of it, for sure,” Reddish said. “But it’s just feeling a lot better. I mean, in general, I just feel a lot better, you know what I mean? Just a few days made all the difference. So, hopefully we can keep that going.”
- With Taurean Prince sidelined by left knee soreness, Ham was forced to make another change to his starting lineup, Turner adds. Ham opted for more offense this time as Rui Hachimura rejoined the starting five. “Rui stepped in and made a huge impact,” Ham said. “He was really, really good in his minutes.”
- Prince is considered day-to-day, tweets Dave McMenamin of ESPN. Ham said Prince “has been fighting through some pain for some time now” and there’s hope that a night off will help.
Bruce Brown for D-Lo and a lottery protected 2029 FRP
Raps say no. DLo is decent but raps have enough guards. Don’t y’all want Dejonte? Maybe DLo with Christian Wood and a first. They need a big. Bruce likely for Olynyx and Agbaji with a pick/Bruce for Bertans, Pokusevski and a 2024 first or Bruce for Okongwu and Patty Mills. Bruce for Wendal Carter Jr and a throw in.
I’ll take Wendel. Raps need a big and he can play both 4-5.
Nothing wrong with DLo and a first rounder. We can flip DLo?
Yeah, but he’s not worth much. And you can’t join his salary with anything else for a better return, same way you can’t with D-Lo. You can’t trade a guy in multi-player packages twice in one season, regardless of who it is, iirc.
Also, D-Lo’s salary isn’t enough to match Brown’s by himself. Brown is making 22 mil this season. D-Lo is making 17.3 mil. You’re almost five mil short.
Ujiri would die from laughter…
The price for Bruce will be high, because other teams have interest. DLO and a first might not get it done. I know he has a lot of baggage, but he might be cheaper. I would go after Miles Bridges. Adding him to the Lakers line up would excellent 3 and D SF/PF.
Just ignore most Laker rumors because its the NBA media trying hard to make Lakers better. there is way too many teams that have better offers than a D’lo offer for Brown.
Doubtful tor can get a better pick Than Lakers 29
They could get 2 faux 1st rd picks from Nyk and Fournier but those picks would be less valuable then the Lakers solo one
The pick is a wash when you include Dlo for a young team like the Raptors…
The Raptors would need to spend that pick to move on from him or just let that contract expire…
Exactly
Talking up D-lo hard, great on D. Lakers played the blazers didn’t they? Russell doesn’t have much value via trade. Especially for the guys lakers are wanting for next to nothing. Trades for Murray and Lavine centred around D-lo aren’t happening.
D’Lo’s superpower is inconsistency
Coach Ham and the media trying hard to pump up Dlo’s value…
He can look good as a third option but isn’t reliable enough… Lakers need a Jrue type PG who can effect the game when their shot isn’t falling…