Report: Los Angeles Lakers Set Meeting With D’Angelo Russell

The Los Angeles Lakers lack guards, and they don’t have a single guard on their roster. Everything points to the fact that their first choice will be D’Angelo Russell. The guard was traded away a couple of years ago. Fred Roggin of NBC LA confirmed that the Lakers have set a meeting with Russell, adding that they still have a lot of obstacles to overcome.

The Brooklyn Nets are a major obstacle at the moment. The team holds Russell’s rights as a restricted free agent. They are expected to renounce the rights if they use their cap space on better players. However, there’s still no guarantee that they will make such move. Even if the Nets do this, it won’t happen overnight.

If the Nets land Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant on July 5^th, the Lakers may lose their precious time waiting for Russell.

And then come finances. The Lakers will only have $23.8 million in cap space. Russell may get a max deal worth $27.25 million. The Lakers have a chance to bridge this gap by adding Moritz Wagner, Jemerrio Jones and Isaac Bonga to the Anthony Davis trade. Alex Caruso may also be added to a sign-and-trade and Anthony Davis may insist on getting his trade bonus. Each case will force the Lakers to find takers for these players. We still don’t have a third party in the process.

Fans are also worried about Russell’s fit in the team. He was fifth in the NBA in usage rate last season, and tied with LeBron James. LeBron and Davis are expected to get the ball offensively, leaving a tiny space for Russell as he will become a No. 3 option on offense. Russell is an average three-point shooter, and his defense is bad.

LeBron’s team will have to devote all of the rest of their player to that side of the ball, and this may turn into a problem due to their limited shooting.

If Russell brings his price down, the Lakers may try and get him. If the Lakers are able to afford Danny Green or other shooting guard, this fit may happen.