Proposed Lakers Trade Swaps D’Angelo Russell, Gabe Vincent For 6-Time All-Star

The Los Angeles Lakers won two straight games, but this didn’t stop analysts from discussing a potential trade for an All-Star. The team has been linked to several players and getting DeMar DeRozan through a trade makes perfect sense for Andy Bailey from Bleacher Report.

Bailey advised the Lakers to try to get the Los Angeles native. Fun fact? DeRozan thought he’d wear a Lakers jersey before signing a deal with the Chicago Bulls.

“Los Angeles Lakers fans would surely quibble over giving up a first-round pick for DeMar DeRozan. He’s 34 years old, has long played an inefficient brand of basketball and has negatively impacted his teams’ plus-minus in 13 of his 15 seasons,” Bailey wrote in his story titled “5 Wild NBA Trade Ideas That Could Actually Work, released November 13. “But DeRozan’s expiring contract offers the team a little more flexibility than those of D’Angelo Russell … and Gabe Vincent.”

Lakers have a reason to trade for the All-Star

The Lakers are getting DeRozan, and the Bulls get a bunch of players, including Russell, Vincent, and a 2030 first-round pick. The Lakers don’t have many first-round picks to offer, but they could really make this work.

Getting DeRozan seems like a good option. The 34-year-old averages 21.2 points on 52.8% shooting to go along with 4.5 assists and 3.0 rebounds.

WHAT A 360 PASS BY DEEBO 🌪️@NBCSChicago | @DeMar_DeRozan pic.twitter.com/zC7LWPKtmC

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) November 14, 2023

“In the aftermath of a deal like this, LA would almost be forced to play Austin Reaves or LeBron James at point guard, which would allow it to fill out the rest of the roster with size and defensive switchability,” Bailey wrote.

The Lakers may have a few good reasons to trade Russell. He averages 17.3 points on 54.4% shooting and his shooting from beyond the arc is not that impressive. There’s more. Russell waived the no-trade clause and could end up playing somewhere else.

The same goes to Vincent. LA gave him a three-year deal, but he deals with a knee issue. The former Miami Heat player averages 6.0 points, 3.0 assists, and 1.0 rebounds.

Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka will have to wait before striking a trade deal involving these two. They are ineligible for a trade until December 15.