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Several Teams Evaluating Potential D’Angelo Russell Trades

May 16th, 2017 at 10:32pm CST by marksuleymanov

With the Lakers securing the second overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft at tonight’s draft lottery, several teams have reportedly begun evaluating potential trades for point guard D’Angelo Russell, sources tell Sports Illustrated’s Jake Fischer.

The former second overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft put together a solid sophomore season in Los Angeles. He improved his numbers across the board, posting 15.6 PPG, 4.8 APG, and 3.5 RPG in 63 games (60 starts). Russell did miss some time due to various knee ailments, which included a PRP injection in his left knee and a mild sprain of the MCL in his right knee.

The former Ohio State University product has shown flashes of his talent but his time has a Laker has been mired in disappointments and run-in’s with teammates. Still, at just 21 years old, he figures to draw strong interest around the league if the Lakers decide to go in another direction.

When the Lakers drew the second overall pick, the attention turned to UCLA product Lonzo Ball, who has been named as the team’s reported top target in the draft. Lonzo’s outspoken father, LaVar Ball, has been pushing for his son to remain in California and join the Lakers, something he reiterated to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne earlier this week.

“Oh, he’s going to be a Laker,” he said. “I’m going to keep talking about it until it happens.”

In his lone season with the Bruins, Ball posted 14.6 PPG, 7.6 APG and 6.0 RPG in 36 contests. As Fischer mentions, having Russell and Ball on the same team may be redundant, especially if the Lakers decide to upgrade at others positions.

While Russell is two years Ball’s elder, both athletes are 6’5″ playmakers with scoring ability. With just over a month to go until the draft, and a second overall pick in their possession, the Lakers are in prime position to draft their preferred player, maintain their core assets, and deal from a surplus to upgrade in other areas.

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Pacific Notes: Booker, Watson, Russell

April 2nd, 2017 at 9:21pm CST by Austin Kent

An impressive sophomore season has Devin Booker conjuring up images of another gifted scorer: James Harden. Head coach Earl Watson recently spoke about how he envisions Booker facilitating the Suns’ offense similar to how Harden does in Houston.

“He reminds me of a young James Harden because he plays at his own speed,” Watson told Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle of the Suns guard. “He plays not fast, but it’s quick, not blazing, but [he is] somebody that dunks on you. He can shoot. He can handle. He can pass. He can post. And he has a very old game for his age. It’s exactly how James was.”

In 74 games for the Suns this season, Watson has averaged 21.9 points per game but it’s his ability to control the ball down the stretch that reminds Watson of Harden.

“I think James opens the door for him to [be a full-time point guard for the Suns],” Watson said. “You definitely see the ball in his hands down the stretch.”

  • Second-year Suns coach Earl Watson is still learning the ins and outs of the job, specifically how decisions can sometimes come down from management that he doesn’t exactly agree with, Doug Haller of the Arizona Republic writes. “I was like, ‘I want to play this way. I want to win. I want to get in the playoffs.’ I never thought about players sitting or the other side of the game,” Watson said of the front office’s decision to rest certain veterans. “That was like a right hook I didn’t see coming. But I got back up. And I think our young guys have responded well.“
  • Of all the things that D’Angelo Russell has improved upon in his second season, one of note is his ability to make in-game adjustments. “He’s done a good job, whether he’s making bad plays with that or missing shots, with still helping our team,” Lakers head coach Luke Walton told Mark Medina of the Orange County Register. “That is a huge step forward. It’s important you can bounce back within the game.”
  • The Clippers are well aware of the fact that the pressure is on them to win in the playoffs, Bill Oram of the Orange County Register writes. “Until we do anything, that’s what it is,” Chris Paul said. “We haven’t won. It depends on what day of the week it is and who did we just beat? It’s always changing but until we do something it’s going to be the same thing.“
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Lakers Notes: Ingram, Russell, Ball

March 19th, 2017 at 5:57pm CST by Austin Kent

Growing confidence and familiarity with the game have contributed to Brandon Ingram‘s gradual improvement this season. The No. 2 overall pick has seen his minutes climb over the course of the season and head coach Luke Walton believes that the exposure has paid off.

“I think it’s more just an overall confidence that he’s gaining from playing night after night after night,” Walton told Joey Ramirez of the team’s official website.

In eight March games, Ingram has averaged 12.3 points and 3.9 rebounds, a sign that Los Angeles’ decision to rest veterans Timofey Mozgov and Luol Deng in favor of giving their young players more of an opportunity is paying off.

Ingram’s statistical improvements, Ramirez writes, stem not from an increase in three-point shooting but maturation attacking the hoop and a more reliable mid-range game.

There’s more out of Los Angeles:

  • Head coach Luke Walton is proud of D’Angelo Russell for sticking up for Nick Young in a brief altercation with the Bucks this week and didn’t feed into Draymond Green‘s criticism of the second-year guard’s actions.  “I was proud of D’Angelo for getting in there and sticking up for his teammate,” Walton told Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News.
  • The Lakers will get extra opportunities to scout Lonzo Ball as UCLA squares off in the NCAA Tournament. The 6’7″ guard has spurred a “cultural revolution” for the Bruins, writes Mark Heisler of the Los Angeles Daily News, and could be of particular interest to Magic Johnson.
  • He may be from Los Angeles but Amir Johnson still plays for the Celtics. That, of course, makes his high praise for recently appointed president of basketball operations Magic Johnson particularly compelling. “I always saw how Magic has a lot of businesses — the Magic Johnson theaters and 24-Hour Fitness and all that — and I think it’s dope that he really committed to the community. He’s doing all this great stuff. It kind of shows you what this job can do for you,” the forward told Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald.
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Lakers Rumors: Magic, Buss Family, Cousins

March 8th, 2017 at 10:29am CST by Luke Adams

The Lakers officially named Magic Johnson an advisor at the start of February, but in the weeks leading up to his promotion, Johnson wasn’t being kept apprised of the goings-on in the team’s front office, according to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne. As Shelburne details in her inside look at the Lakers’ front office shakeup, Jim Buss and Mitch Kupchak continued to run team business without integrating Johnson or even informing him of what they were planning.

In one case, that meant conducting a workout with Larry Sanders without inviting Johnson to attend. It also meant that Johnson had to inquire about trade calls on his own, since Buss and Kupchak weren’t telling him about them, let alone asking his opinion. The fact that Johnson wasn’t been involved in the decision-making process was one reason why president Jeanie Buss felt it was necessary to make a change just days before the trade deadline, writes Shelburne.

Let’s round up a few other Lakers items, including more from Shelburne’s piece…

  • Another key factor in Jeanie Buss‘ decision to oust Jim Buss and Kupchak in favor of Johnson was the way DeMarcus Cousins talks with the Kings were handled. According to Shelburne, Johnson received a call from Sacramento GM Vlade Divac, but since Magic was still just a consultant at that point, he referred Divac to Buss and Kupchak. Divac wanted to move quickly on a Cousins deal and was meeting with Pelicans GM Dell Demps in person at the All-Star Game in New Orleans, but could only talk to Buss and Kupchak on the phone, slowing negotiations.
  • As Shelburne explains, Jeanie Buss wanted a heads-up if the Lakers were discussing any of their three previous lottery picks – Brandon Ingram, D’Angelo Russell, and Julius Randle – in trade talks. The talks with the Kings involved two of those three players, but Jeanie and Magic were kept out of the loop until Sacramento had essentially finalized a deal with New Orleans.
  • According to Shelburne, the Jazz had offered a first-round pick for Lou Williams before Johnson took over as the Lakers’ president of basketball operations, but that proposal was off the table by the time he was promoted.
  • Shelburne’s piece includes several more interesting items about Lakers ownership, the tension between the Buss brothers and Johnson, and a possible role for Kobe Bryant, among other topics, so it’s worth checking out in full.
  • Speaking of Kobe, the future Hall-of-Famer publicly endorsed the Lakers’ choice of his former agent Rob Pelinka for general manager (Twitter link). Head coach Luke Walton is “excited” to begin working with Pelinka, as Mark Medina of The O.C. Register details.
  • Legal experts say that Jeanie Buss is well positioned to retain control of the Lakers franchise even if her brothers attempt to oust her, writes Nathan Fenno of The Los Angeles Times. Shelburne’s report suggests that Janie Buss believes Jim and Johnny Buss hope to eventually cash out.
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Lakers Notes: Magic, Kobe, Young Core, Kupchak

February 23rd, 2017 at 7:46am CST by Luke Adams

Speaking to reporters this week, new Lakers president of basketball operations Magic Johnson reiterated that he’d like to bring Kobe Bryant aboard. Johnson has no specific role in mind for the future Hall-of-Famer, suggesting that Bryant could do “whatever he wants to do,” per Baxter Holmes of ESPN.com. Johnson also said he’s looking forward to trying to lure free agents to L.A., despite the club’s lack of success with top targets in recent years.

“Players today, whether they’re coming to us or any other team, have got to buy into that vision and have got to say, ‘Look, I can see it. This organization is about winning,'” Johnson said. “We’ve always been about winning. And you’ve got the right coach, you’ve got the right management team, you’ve got the right ownership, and so we’re looking forward to going out and pitching to free agents.”

Here’s more on the Lakers:

  • As Mark Medina of The Los Angeles Daily News details, D’Angelo Russell and Brandon Ingram were comforted by Johnson’s recent assertions that the team’s young core is untouchable. “That’s good to hear, honestly,” Russell said. “With everybody getting traded and everything happening, you’re walking around looking over your shoulder because you don’t have a clue what’s going on. Some things you can’t control. So that’s good to hear.” Still, the second-year guard added that no one should feel entirely “untouchable” around the trade deadline.
  • After being fired by the Lakers earlier this week, former GM Mitch Kupchak issued a statement on Wednesday thanking the Buss family and wishing Johnson and the organization good luck going forward. Baxter Holmes has the full statement from Kupchak.
  • For the Lakers to contend again, they can’t be content to rely on Johnson’s celebrity, writes Tim Dahlberg of The Associated Press.
  • The Lakers are reportedly seeking a second-round pick in a deal for Nick Young today. Be sure to keep tabs on all are latest Lakers notes using their team page.
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Lakers Notes: Draft Pick, Johnson, Russell

February 13th, 2017 at 10:36pm CST by ChrisCrouse

The Lakers own a record of 19-37, which is currently the third-worst mark in the league. If the season ended today, the team would have a 15.6% chance at the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming draft, as our Reverse Standings indicate.

If Los Angeles’ 2017 draft pick ends up outside the top-3, Philadelphia will receive it and the team’s 2019 first round pick will go to Orlando. If the Lakers do not convey their 2017 first-rounder to the Sixers, they will send two second-rounders to the Magic instead of that 2019 first-rounder.

As we wait to see where the team’s pick ends up, check out some notes from Los Angeles:

  • Magic Johnson was hired to be a special advisor to Lakers co-owner Jeanie Buss, but Johnson recently revealed that he wants to “call the shots” in the front office. Jeff Miller of the Orange County Register wonders if Johnson is the right person to run the show in Los Angeles. Miller admits that Johnson will restore legitimacy to the team, but adds that his presence may not help in free agency. The scribe notes that the former Laker great was part of the team’s pitch to Carmelo Anthony in 2014 and it didn’t bring the star to L.A.
  • D’Angelo Russell is showing signs that he can live up to his 2015 draft status, Ben Alamar of ESPN.com writes. The Ohio State product is posting similar numbers to Chris Paul when Paul first came into the league. Alamar notes that Russell’s biggest deficiency is his ability to get to the free throw line, as the point guard is averaging less than 5.5 free throw attempts per 100 possessions.
  • There’s reason to be optimistic about Julius Randle‘s career going forward, Alamar contends in the same piece. The scribe applauds Randle’s passing ability as well as his rebounding ability, but notes that the power forward’s efficiency on offense is holding him back.
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Lakers Notes: Magic, Jim Buss, Walton, Draft

February 3rd, 2017 at 12:04pm CST by Arthur Hill

Magic Johnson will have the freedom to do whatever he wants in his new role as an advisor to the Lakers, writes Tim Bontemps of The Washington Post. A news release issued by the team listed Johnson’s duties as “advising ownership on all business and basketball matters,” and Bontemps believes he will have a significant role in crafting the team’s future. That could include an ouster of executive vice president of basketball operations Jim Buss, whom Johnson has frequently criticized in the past. Johnson offered an olive branch to Buss on Thursday, saying, “Jim is calling the shots, and I want him to understand, I’m just here to lend advice,” but Bontemps says no one in the organization believes that.

There’s more news from Los Angeles:

  • Johnson’s hiring signals a major shakeup and the likely end of Jim Buss’ time with the team, according to Bill Plaschke of The Los Angeles Times. Plaschke predicts the Lakers will become more attractive to free agents as Johnson brings in someone new to run the organization. The writer also expects Luke Walton to be kept as head coach and Mitch Kupchak to be replaced as general manager, but remain with the team as an advisor.
  • Walton hopes to build the Lakers in the image of a team that was once their greatest rival, relays Baxter Holmes of ESPN.com. Growing up, the first-year head coach was greatly influenced by the 1985/86 champion Celtics that his father Bill was part of. “Everything that I’ve seen of basketball I thought should be played the way that Celtics team played,” Luke Walton said. “That was the standard of how basketball should be played — fast-paced, free-flowing, passing, high-scoring type of basketball. It was beautiful and historic.”
  • The Lakers shouldn’t hesitate to take an elite point guard in this year’s draft even though they already have D’Angelo Russell, according to Chad Ford and Kevin Pelton of ESPN.com [Insider account]. Ford sees either Washington’s Markelle Fultz or UCLA’s Lonzo Ball as an upgrade, while Pelton notes Russell’s ability as a shooter and suggests that he could be moved to the two guard position.
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D’Angelo Russell Out One To Two Weeks

January 21st, 2017 at 10:55pm CST by Arthur Hill

A right MCL sprain and right calf strain will sideline Lakers’ point guard D’Angelo Russell for one to two weeks, writes Baxter Holmes of ESPN.com.

The injuries were confirmed today when Russell underwent an MRI. Doctors will re-evaluate his condition in one week.

Russell was hurt Friday after stepping on Julius Randle‘s foot in a game against the Pacers. He walked to the bench under his own power and later called it “just a little pain.”

“I don’t think it’s as bad as I initially thought,” coach Luke Walton said. “I saw him go down and I was pretty worried for him, but he said he feels all right when I checked on him at halftime.”

Russell is averaging 14.3 points, 4.4 assists and 3.7 rebounds in 34 games.

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Pacific Notes: Ingram, Tucker, Russell

January 21st, 2017 at 11:55am CST by Austin Kent

No. 2 overall pick Brandon Ingram has made great progress over the course of his first three months in the NBA, writes Bill Oram of the Orange County Register, and the humble Lakers rookie deserves to start in place of veteran Luol Deng.

Oram cites Ingram’s preparation and focus, as well as head coach Luke Walton‘s recent praise of the young forward, as reasons why change should come to the Lakers’ lineup.

“There’s plenty of times where the best answer for our success is Brandon,” Walton told Oram after the Lakers took down Indiana on Friday, “And there’s plenty of times where we just want to challenge the hell out of him and see how he responds.”

In 11 January games, Ingram has upped his production, averaging 11.5 points per game versus the 7.1 he recorded in December.

Unless Walton fears a promotion would “douse Ingram’s competitive fire” Oram argues that starting the rookie is a “no-brainer”.

Elsewhere in the Pacific Division:

  • No stranger to trade rumors, P.J. Tucker is well aware of the business side of basketball, writes Doug Haller of the Arizona Republic. “It’s part of business,” the Suns forward said Thursday. “Contract year. Being a defensive player, a lot of teams are looking to make an addition to (help) fight for a championship.”
  • Second-year Lakers point guard D’Angelo Russell tweaked his knee Friday, but the mild MCL strain may not even force him to miss time, writes Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times. “I don’t think it’s as bad as I initially thought,” Walton said of the fall. “When I saw him go down, I was pretty worried, but he said he felt all right when I checked on him at halftime.” Russell will undergo an MRI on Saturday.
  • The Achilles injury suffered by Rudy Gay will impact more than just the Kings. Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders explores all of the ripple effects that the Gay news could have on the trade  market throughout the league as teams that considered making bids for the forward will have to look elsewhere.
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Pacific Notes: Nance Jr., Curry, Clarkson

January 9th, 2017 at 10:04pm CST by Austin Kent

Though he’s been sidelined since December 20, Lakers forward Larry Nance Jr. thinks that he could be back in action sooner than the team’s current timetable.

“I have no issues,” Nance told Mark Medina of the Orange County Register. “I’m as content as can be with the way everything is going and how fast it is progressing.”

Nance Jr. believes that the bone bruise in his left knee is healing faster than was originally expected. Initially slated to be out of action until January 22, his 7.0 points and 5.5 rebounds per game would be welcome back to the lineup.

The 24-year-old second-year man has recently resumed shooting drills and will soon compete in contact drills.

Elsewhere in the Pacific Division:

 

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