Lakers Trade Scenario Swaps D’Angelo Russell For $94.5 Million Sharpshooter

The Los Angeles Lakers can still find a way to improve the roster and putting D’Angelo Russell on the trade block is definitely an option. Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka missed on a few golden options early in the offseason. If the Lakers don’t have any particular player on their radar, they will probably target a team.

According to Anthony Irwin from Lakers Daily, Russell may soon join the Brooklyn Nets. They are one of the two teams interested in his contract. Irwin also noted that the Lakers would gladly get Cameron Johnson and Dorian Finney-Smith. Russell will earn $18.7 million in the upcoming season and Johnson will get $23.6 million.

“Toronto and Brooklyn are more open to acquiring the nine-year veteran, but more for his expiring contract than for what he’d do on the court,” Irwin wrote.

The Lakers have also shown interest in getting Raptors player Bruce Brown. Brooklyn has made some changes lately, sending Mikal Bridges to the New York Knicks.

Lakers have a few reasons to place D’Angelo Russell on the trade block

The Lakers have been linked to several players. Sean Deveney from Heavy believes that the Lakers will do an effort to get Johnson if they don’t get any new players in free agency.

“The Lakers would have to persuade the Nets that taking back Russell and last year’s first-round pick, Jalen Hood-Schifino, would be enough of a return for Johnson, whose lengthy injury history dings his value,” Deveney wrote on July 3.

Johnson looks like a good option for the Lakers. He averaged 12.5-15.5 points per game in the last three seasons. He shoots 39.2% from the three-point line on 5.7 attempts.

Johnson had a defensive rating of 117.2 this past season. His numbers were a little higher during his time with the Phoenix Suns. In other words, he looks like an ideal target for the purple and gold.