So, the Lakers traded D’Angelo Russell for Brook Lopez and a late 1st round pick in Thursday’s NBA Draft. Typing that still feels weird. Probably because I don’t really like this deal, even if I understand it is likely a precursor to future moves (or, at least, it needs to be).
In order to try to figure out what the Lakers just did, Pete and I got to podcasting to discuss this thing. Be warned, we’re not happy. Click through to listen to our latest Laker Film Room pod:
https://soundcloud.com/user-456873398/ep-26-oh-dangelo-we-hardly-knew-ye
Sergio Boñon says
Sad reacts only
csi says
Wishful thinking here, but is there any chance this trade gets nixed? We haven’t seen anything official from the league, the Lakers or the Nets. And, given the near universal criticism of it, is it possible that Magic/Pelinka may be reconsidering?
Alternatively, could it be that this trade is contingent upon a subsequent trade with the Pacers for Paul George, and that’s why we haven’t seen or heard anything from the teams?
In contrast, the Celtics-Sixers trade is up on both of the team’s official websites.
Joe Black says
Universal criticism? by whom? I am still confused by the obsession with DAR. If he wasn’t the Lakers pick no one in the league would talk about him. His infamy is miles ahead of his skills. I am glad he is traded. Lonzo Ball will immediately make everyone forget DAR.
CraigW. says
I think we have to remember that the Lakers simply had to get Mozgov’s contract off the books. He has no place in Luke Walton’s system, while Deng could fit the #4 position next year.
With that in mind, Russell has apparently disappointed two coaches, both of whom were trusted by Magic. It is instructive to note that removing Russell’s attitude/work habits from the team may not be the worst thing for next year’s chemistry. Clarkson was one who gradually moved away from DLo over the last two years.
Exchanging Mozgov for Lopez is a very good move for Luke’s approach to the game. We have made ourselves a better team, regarding the Randle/center mixture. This trade was not simply gaining cap-space.
WishWash says
Day 2 trade is still killing me.
In the Podcast you guys mentioned that the Lakers Brass were killing his value before he was traded. That is very troubling to me. Reason being is because it seems they were doing it mainly to influence the Laker fans and public and to validate any trade they were going to make for him. Instead of getting the best value for Dlo. ehhhh It is hard to have faith when these guys lack so much experience
Tom says
In the podcast Pete mentioned the problem of not getting talent back, that the Lakers should make any move in an attempt to be a better team next year. If that is the case, shouldn’t Pete be more upset by the Lou Williams trade. DAR was an inferior player to Lou (as acknowledged in the Podcast) yet DAR yielded far more in trade value. And that is because of perceived potential to grow and draft pedigree (former #2 pick!). What if the Lakers were convinced DAR was running out of upside and extracted a fair value here?
Isn’t this just a case of fan rose-colored glasses for the guy we drafted?
CraigW. says
We got Lopez back – and only for one year, then we can decide.
drrayeye says
Last trade deadline, The Nets were demanding 2 first round picks for a one remaining year Brooke Lopez contract. This year, they accepted Mozgov’s 3 year remaining contract, Russell, and gave up a first round draft pick to the Lakers. Shows more respect and appreciation for Russell than one might think.
For much of the basketball world, Russell’s fate was sealed when the Lakers got the #2 pick–and the queries to Lakerland began almost immediately. At first, it seemed like the Laker’s were open to keeping either Dlo or Lonzo, or both for awhile. At one point, I thought they might be able to trade Russell for the same picks the 76ers traded to the Celts for the #1 (without the restrictions), but now, I doubt that any discussion with Rob Pelinka took place. The Lakers had offers for the #2 (and Lonzo) from Phoenix, even though Lonzo was reluctant to work out with any other team but the Lakers.
The “outside world” strongly preferred Ball to Russell. On that basis, the Lakers had to gamble on sticking with him while drafting a non pg, enhancing his upside during the season teamed with Lonzo before a trade, or trading him now–replacing his role with draftee Lonzo.
The best win-win trade involving Mozgov (maybe the only realistic trade) was to swap for Lopez. That immediately improved the Lakers for next year with no commitments beyond. Rather than offering a first (the Nets had been asking for at least 2 firsts), the Nets may have demanded Russell, and offered one of their firsts to give back value to the Lakers. They took on the burden of those extra two years with Mozgov in part because they liked him–and it was immediate extra cap space for this year.
So far, the Lakers will have Lonzo backed up by Ennis at the pg.
I think that the Lakers were fully aware of the potential upside for Russell, and would have been willing to pair him with Lonzo–possibly even keep him–under different circumstances. Coming into next season, I think that the Lakers will win more games with Lopez and Ball. I think that Lopez and Zubac will make a great starting tag team.
I still expect more Laker activities before they finalize a roster in October.
Anonymous says
We did get talent back – Lopez is the best player in this trade right now, we don’t know if Russel ever be as good as Lopez. Lopez had higher PER this this past season than PG-13, for example. He works on his game – he added 3pt shot last year. Maybe he’ll get a new start in LA and take a hometown discount next season. Can he be one of our 3-4 stars on a championship contender? Why not, we’ll see.
Ball
Ingram
George
Randle
Lopez
Bench: Zubac, Clarkson, Larry Nance Jr.
Looks like a playoff team to me.
Now I just hope Magic & Rob will be patient with getting George. We should consider sending significant value (#2 pick or Ingram) back to the Pacers only if we package Deng too and get back a Pacers pick. Sorry for trade speculation, but all this pundits that talk about the Lakers need to get George now for basically anything the Pacers might want is crazy.
FredP says
This trade still stinks and I agree with the sentiment expressed on the podcast. As Jerry West said, you cannot be wrong on high draft picks. The Lakers needed another year of Russell to make sure he would not be a fit for them. All of the excuses are just a smoke screen by Magic to hide that George’s agent is calling the shots. Russell to the Nets gives him a chance for more accolades as their leading man and more money down the line. George going public saying he wants to be a Laker puts LA in a bad spot if they do not trade for him (or make the effort) since they can be accused of collusion again. Are the Lakers willing to give up on another #2 pick to make this happen? They allegedly did try to use the #2 to trade for Sacramento’s two first round picks so Ball is not necessarily coming to LA. If the Lakers do trade the #2 pick, then the price for George will have been too dear.
Ray says
This season will be promising for d Lakers! We have unloaded dlo that gives utmost future uncertainty in this team due to some character issues. We hope for him the best that he’ll continue to grow on how to be an nba player.
Coop A Loop says
What everyone’s failing to realize, is the Lakers have shopped DLO all week in hopes of adding a lottery pick. Zero Teams where interested. Zero. They rather roll the dice on a 19yr old unproven rookie, then the “undervalued” Russel.
Next inditement against him is the Lakes already offered Russel in Package to the Pacers who turned him down.
Lakes wanted a lottery pick Russel, struck out, option B unload Mosgov and get a slater pick for Russel.
Lonzo or DeAaro now get full reins of the offense as we acquired WANTED ASSETS like the Celts to help facilate trades/signing later. I think the Lakers came out ahead.
ME says
What everyone’s failing to realize, is the Lakers have shopped DLO all week in hopes of adding a lottery pick. Zero Teams where interested. Zero. They rather roll the dice on a 19yr old unproven rookie, then the “undervalued” Russel.
Next inditement against him is the Lakes already offered Russel in Package to the Pacers who turned him down.
Lakes wanted a lottery pick Russel, struck out, option B unload Mosgov and get a slater pick for Russel.
Lonzo or DeAaro now get full reins of the offense as we acquired WANTED ASSETS like the Celts to help facilate trades/signing later. I think the Lakers came out ahead.
Edward Simms says
It’s a good trade. First of all, who is the better player right now, Dlo or Brooks? (Brooks). Dlo can’t defend any of the top guards in the west.
Lakers clear cap space needed to acquire a star this year.
Brooks is now an asset, If he makes the Alll Star team next year, what do you think his value will be?
Lakers17 says
Lopez for his size is a terrible defender and someone his size should not be averaging just 5 rebounds a game. Lakers biggest deficit is defense. He doesn’t provide that. Nets are glad that he’s finally off the books and are probably shocked that the actually received something in return because there was no way they were going to re-sign him. If he had any value whatsoever, they should not have been the worst team in the league. The only thing he brings to the Lakers is floor spacing. Nothing more.
Broken says
This makes me feel like Mitch and Jim never left. Lopez is gone at the end of a year for cap space. What free agent would join the lakers with our roster?
Dlo was being shopped with Mozgov’s attached. He would be less appealing to any team.
Even if we add PG. we are barely making the playoffs and out of rebuild mode. Next year no 1st round pick. This is who we are. Not enough assets to build a team around PG and no clue how another top free agent signs knowing if last nso or Ingram bust or don’t top out we will be nothing better then a second round playoff team at best.
LakerJ88 says
D’Angelo Russell, in my opinion, is ideally a shooting guard who plays is also a pretty good passer. From a historical standpoint, it has been easier to find good to great shooting guards late in the first round and sometimes in the 2nd round. Look how the Lakers found Jordan Clarkson with a trade from the Wizards. Clarkson had a solid first round grade from Lakers scouting and still fell to 46. So there is the ability for the Lakers to find a good shooting guard, if they want to, at pick 27 or 28. I would have preferred Magic kept DR for at least one full season to see how well DR and Lonzo Ball play together. So I don’t like this trade. 100% agree it’s definitely selling low on DR. But, Magic was critical of Jim Buss for about 10 years. DR was sacrificed for the mistakes of Mitch Kupchak (who was very good at drafting talent except for the Deng/Mozgov contracts his last season to to try and save his job) and Jim Buss. I was hoping another young player would have been sacrificed instead of DR to clear one or two of the bad contracts. Maybe Larry Nance or Clarkson or instead of DR would have been my preference…
Juce says
listened to your podcast and had to comment after this draft for lakers
1) as a laker fan since 1972, i really enjoy your commentary on the lakers
2) after 2 yrs and 2 different coaches, i wasn’t as high on d’angelo as you, but hope he gets his act together for his sake
3) this draft by rob p and magic illustrates why d’angelo was expendable in their eyes. every player after lonzo that was drafted was described as “tough” – that is not a word that would b used for d’angelo, you might say “talented” or “iq” or “sees the game” but def not tough
4) i loved the josh hart pick, i was hoping for derrick white or josh hart with 27 or 28 and sure enough we got hart (felt good when someone on espn broadcast said “seems like spurs pick” about hart pick, but didn’t like that spurs picked white at 29- will hate if he’s great for them)