If the Los Angeles Lakers can’t sign Kawhi Leonard, they should shift their focus to D’Angelo Russell
When NBA Free Agency opens, the Los Angeles Lakers will be in a race to surround LeBron James and Anthony Davis with another max player.
The Lakers could use their max cap space to fill their roster with role players to complement LeBron Davis as well. However, in the past, LeBron has always been more successful when surrounded by two other star players. Though, you could make the argument that Kuzma could develop into this role in the future.
Despite all of the teams clearing cap space this summer, with Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson injured, there are not many good options for max contract players for the Lakers to sign.
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With how he played on the Boston Celtics this past season, Kyrie Irving signing with the Lakers is likely the wrong move for both parties. It’s also widely expected for Kyrie to sign with the Nets.
Kawhi Leonard is also likely not going to sign with the Lakers this offseason. With Kemba Walker all but signed with the Celtics, perhaps the most realistic max free agent that Los Angeles could sign is Jimmy Butler. But even Butler will have many options this summer.
Butler is a great defender, and would certainly help the Lakers and play well next to LeBron and Davis.
One other player that the team could target is D’Angelo Russell. With Kyrie heading to Brooklyn, there is a path for Russell to sign in Los Angeles.
Nets will be willing to work with Russell and his reps on ways to get him to a team of his choice, including sign-and-trade scenarios, league sources tell ESPN. If Russell and Nets found a sign-and-trade deal that works for both, obviously, there's no need to renounce his rights.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 29, 2019
Russell is only 23 years old and averaged 21 points per game for the Nets in the 2018-19 season. Russell, paired with Anthony Davis, could offer the Lakers nearly a decade of upside. While Kyrie is a far better point guard than Russell, Russell is four years younger and comes with less drama.
While Russell is a player that many fans may not view as worthy of a potential max player, he is coming off a career season with the Nets and is only scratching the surface of the player he can be.
Moreover, because he puts the Lakers in a position to win a championship this season and because he has nearly a decade of upside for the Lakers; he is worthy of a near max contract with the Lakers.
No matter which free agent the Lakers sign this summer, they will be the third offensive option behind Anthony Davis and LeBron James. And Lakers need a point guard. Russell fits these roles perfectly. Kyle Kuzma, Anthony Davis, and D’Angelo Russell could be the “Big Three” for the Los Angeles Lakers for the next decade. With all things considered, they should sign D’Angelo Russell.