Los Angeles Lakers, Brooklyn Nets both benefit from Russell-Lopez swap

The Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn Nets will both benefit from the D’Angelo Russell for Brook Lopez swap

A breaking news type of trade was imminent, with so much chatter going on over the last few days. It didn’t take long with a report involving the Los Angeles Lakers trading away D’Angelo Russell and Timofey Mozgov to the Brooklyn Nets for Brook Lopez and the 27th pick in the upcoming draft.

Just looking at the trade, it looks like a win-win for both organizations. The Lakers dealing Russell away clears the path for them to select Lonzo Ball with the No. 2 pick in Thursday’s draft, or shock the world and take another guard. It also creates cap flexibility for the purple and gold, as they rid themselves of the remaining $48 million over three years of Mozgov’s deal.

Doing so and acquiring Lopez in the last year of his deal in which he’s owed $22.6 million is a long-term thought process for Los Angeles.

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Los Angeles is now primed to have close to $60 million in cap space in the summer of 2018 to pursue one, maybe two max contract worthy free agents. With so much flexibility next summer, signing LeBron James, Paul George, Russell Westbrook or any other combination of franchise changing talents could become a reality sooner rather than later.

Also makes their other young talent of Jordan Clarkson, Julius Randle and/or whomever they select No. 2 overall expendable in any other possible trade.

From the Nets point of view, this trade is also a win. They acquire a guard with All-Star potential in the eyes of some in Russell, while absorbing Mozgov’s contract. Brooklyn won’t be ready to contend in a few seasons, making the acquisition of Mozgov’s deal miniscule to their long-term view.

The main guy is Russell.

The third-year guard is heading to a change of scenery from the glitz and glamour of Los Angeles where he’s had his fair share of adversity through his first two years. Heading to the east coast under Kenny Atkinson could help him reach the star potential some see in him, as Atkinson was in Atlanta with Dennis Schroder, who’s become an elite guard.

The only interesting part about the trade is the Los Angeles Lakers not giving the duo of Russell and whichever guard they select No. 2 overall a try together. Maybe their reasoning to jump on this type of deal is part of something much greater via trade this summer or just freeing up cap space for next summer.

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Either way, they’ve but themselves in a good position to return to glory sooner rather than later. And as for the Nets, they’ll be able to develop Russell at a steady pace.

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