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5 teams who should trade for D’Angelo Russell

By David Austin Bumpus

Mar 12, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard D'Angelo Russell (1) is defended by Philadelphia 76ers forward Dario Saric (9) during the second half at the Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 12, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard D'Angelo Russell (1) is defended by Philadelphia 76ers forward Dario Saric (9) during the second half at the Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /
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With the Lakers earning the second overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, D’Angelo Russell has already become a part of trade rumors. Here are five possible landing spots.

After all the possibilities of losing their lottery pick to the Philadelphia 76ers if they landed outside the top three, the Los Angeles Lakers held on to the second overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft.

Now the Lakers may have some thinking to do. They have been rumored to be pursuing UCLA’s Lonzo Ball with their pick and may have to trade up to the first overall pick with the Boston Celtics to get that done.

In all of the pick drama, rumors have come up about what the team will do with star point guard and No. 2 overall pick from 2015, D’Angelo Russell. Almost immediately after the NBA Draft Lottery, it was reported that “multiple teams are evaluating trade packages” for Russell, and we could see him moved shortly if the team looks to move up in the draft or looks to create space for a potential Ball pick.

Obviously, when any trade rumors pop up, it’s time to look at the possibilities of where someone could land. For that reason, here are five potential landing spots for Russell, should he get traded.

5. San Antonio Spurs

The San Antonio Spurs provide a unique opportunity for a trading partner with the Lakers, but it’s the least likely of the five options, given the Spurs’ current draft pick situation.

The team is almost in a rebuilding process currently, as they deal with the departure of Tim Duncan from last season, an injury to current and longtime Spur point guard Tony Parker and the possible loss of Manu Ginobili after this postseason. Ginobili is already 39 years old and is rumored to be retiring, and Parker recently suffered a bad injury against the Houston Rockets in the conference semifinals and is 34 years old.

The team is loaded with Kawhi Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge currently, but will need to plan for the future soon. Russell would be a good fit for the Spurs at point guard and would fit in cap-wise with a rookie deal.

Russell would help the team load up with talent to make a true run at a championship and could help the team actually compete with the Golden State Warriors for years to come, if they could keep the trio together. However, the true problem would be getting the deal done.

The Spurs shot themselves in the foot by doing so well and won’t have any high draft picks to deal. They’ll likely need to give up some solid talent, and even some future draft picks, to even make the deal a possibility. It may not be worth it in the end but would provide a unique option for the Lakers to pursue with their star point guard.

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