Rob Pelinka, Los Angeles Lakers general manager and vice president of basketball operations.
Are his attempts causing someone at the front desk to have second thoughts, making it possible for him to stay?
Jovan Buha of The Athletic stated on January 26: “I’d put it at around 40 percent [that Russell remains with the Lakers], which is higher than I would have as recently as a few weeks ago.” Though the likelihood of him being moved by the deadline has increased, it’s now more of a 50/50 shot given the Lakers’ growing unwillingness to part with him
According to team insiders, the Lakers consider transactions involving Russell for guys like Malcolm Brogdon of Portland, Tyus Jones of Washington, or Spencer Dinwiddie of Brooklyn to be at most lateral moves and probably downgrades.
Since returning to the starting lineup seven games ago, Russell is averaging 27.4 points per game. In that time, he has 1.6 assists, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks while also making 53.1% of his three-pointers.
There are a lot of rumors linking Brogdon, Dinwiddie, Jones, and Atlanta Hawks standout Dejounte Murray to the Lakers.
The Lakers player who is most frequently brought up in these and other trade rumors is Russell.
Their choice is undoubtedly more difficult now that Russell’s play has premiered,” Buha noted. Not only is this his best run of the year, but it’s also unquestionably the best of his career and the best of either of his Lakers stints.
“But it hasn’t altered the two primary barriers to keeping Russell after the deadline.”
Buha observes that third-year guard Austin Reaves and he have similar skill sets. After giving Reaves a four-year, $53.8 million contract, the organization effectively put him out of the running for trade talks.
He also brings up Russell’s $36 million, two-year contract. For the second year, there is a $18.7 million player option. The Lakers worry that if Russell performs poorly, they will be stuck with him and that if he outperforms his current deal, they could lose him for nothing in free agency.
Prospective suitors have been hard to come by, in part due to the same reasons the Lakers are hesitant to hold onto him past the trade deadline.
The Lakers may believe that Murray is worth going above and above to sign him.
The Lakers may believe that Murray is worth going above and above to sign him.
According to Buha, Murray is “the exception” when it comes to the Lakers cutting Russell. The Hawks, who asked for Reaves but turned down Russell, have been the problem.
In order to finalize a trade with Atlanta, the Lakers probably need a third team.
But what extra expense will the Lakers incur? Buha has already said that Russell has a low trading value. Gabe Vincent and Rui Hachimura are two more possible trade possibilities who fit this description. At best, their trading worth is neutral.
They have already made the Hawks an offer for both their 2029 first-round pick, which is the only pick they can sell in advance of the 2024 draft, and a pick exchange.
How far will the Lakers go in order to sign a player they believe has the ability to make a difference?
Josh Buckhalter covers the NFL and NBA for Heavy.com, concentrating on the Minnesota Vikings, Los Angeles Lakers, and Chicago Bulls. Since 2016, he has written on the NBA and NFL for FanSided, Last Word on Sports, and Clocker Sports, among other publications. Illinois’ Villa Park is home to him. Josh’s handle on Instagram and Twitter is @JoshGBuck.Additional details regarding Josh Buckhalter
