Lakers Trade News: D'Angelo Russell available 'for the right pieces', according to Colin Cowherd
The Los Angeles Lakers (15-29) are open to the idea of trading second-year point guard D'Angelo Russell 'for the right pieces', per NBA insider Colin Cowherd.
According to Cowherd, the Lakers are averse to trading rookie Brandon Ingram and third-year forward Julius Randle but will be willing to move Russell if a team comes calling with a noteworthy offer.
"I called two scouts (regarding Lakers' willingness to trade players). Both said the same thing. The Lakers would move D'Angelo Russell for the right pieces. They love Brandon Ingram (No. 2 pick in 2016 draft) and they think he's three years out (before developing into an all-star calibre player).
"They like (Larry) Nance off the bench. And they like (Julius) Randle. But they are split on D'Angelo Russell -- who is a scorer but they (the front office) don't know if Los Angeles body type it works long term," Cowherd said on Friday's edition of The Herd on Fox Sports, before suggesting that the Lakers' second unit out-scoring the starters has left coach Luke Walton worried.
Lakers Trade News: L.A. determined to hold onto young core
Last week, the Sporting News reported that the Lakers, despite their recent woes, are opposed to moving any member of their young core that features Russell, Randle and Ingram. While the report added that Jordan Clarkson and Larry Nance Jr. are also off the table, Sean Deveney hinted that the pair of role players are not on the untouchables list like the three lottery picks.
"According to league sources, the Lakers have not included any of the three (lottery picks) into trade discussions, and do not figure to change that. They’re unlikely to consider moves involving their two other young role players, Jordan Clarkson and Larry Nance Jr., who figure to be key parts of the rotation in the near future," Deveney reported before adding that the Lakers recently contacted the Atlanta Hawks and Philadelphia 76ers regarding Paul Millsap and Nerlens Noel respectively.
While no trade is imminent, the Lakers could be open for business closer to the Feb. 23 deadline when the likes of Noel, Millsap, Jahlil Okafor and Jusuf Nurkic are expected to be made available by their respective teams. Despite signing Russian centre Timofey Mozgov to a four-year deal this summer, besides drafting promising Ivica Zubac in the second round, the Lakers are reportedly desperate for an upgrade at the 5 spot.
Russell, the former Ohio State standout, has gone three consecutive games scoring in single digits since the Lakers' blowout loss to Portland Trail Blazers last Tuesday. The guard had just 9 points against the San Antonio Spurs Thursday and followed it up with another 5-point effort against the Clippers on Saturday.
The 20-year-old is averaging 14.9 points, 4.6 assists and 3.8 rebounds in his second season with the Purple & Gold. Will the Lakers pull the trigger on a possible D'Angelo Russell trade ahead of the February deadline?
