Los Angeles Lakers
Trade deadline candidate: D’Angelo Russell
The Los Angeles Lakers may have re-signed D’Angelo Russell in free agency this past offseason but I still believe that there’s a very real chance they could end up placing him on the block by the time the NBA Trade Deadline rolls around. If Gabe Vincent, who the team also signed in free agency this summer, ends up winning the start point guard job and is a consistent enough of a player for the team to start the season, I’d be shocked if we didn’t hear the whispers of Russell being available as soon as he becomes trade eligible.
The Lakers didn’t make a big splash move this offseason but they’re still likely open to it. If a difference-making player becomes available that fits better on the team than Russell, the Lakers likely don’t hesitate to make the move. Russell seems most like the player whose future is unknown even after re-signing with the team.
It could happen it could not. It kind of has to be the perfect scenario that plays out for the Lakers. But Russell should be a name to monitor heading into the NBA Trade Deadline.