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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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May 7, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) controls a ball during the third quarter in the second round of game four of the 2017 NBA Playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
May 7, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) controls a ball during the third quarter in the second round of game four of the 2017 NBA Playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Toronto Raptors

The Toronto Raptors may be in desperate need of a point guard with their situation with Kyle Lowry crumbling, and it may be smart to let Lowry walk to pursue Russell.

Lowry has decided to opt out of his contract with the Raptors for the upcoming season and will look at other options in free agency. Ironically, Lowry could find himself negotiating with the Lakers if Russell gets moved elsewhere, and maybe the Raptors will pursue Russell knowing Lowry is on his way out.

Russell would benefit greatly from going to the Raptors roster, as he’d get to learn from a veteran stud like DeMar DeRozan and be a part of a truly successful team that earned the third seed in the Eastern Conference this season.

Meanwhile, the Raptors would get some cap relief for someone who is a lot cheaper and who could turn out to be better than Lowry when their careers are over. Lowry has been riddled with injuries throughout his time in Toronto, and Russell would provide a healthy alternative for a potentially large loss for the Raptors.

The Raptors, like the Spurs, don’t have high draft picks to trade, and maybe lost their chance to send over an easy asset like Lowry by waiting too long to pull the trigger on a trade. The smart thing to do, in hindsight, would have been to send Lowry to the Lakers at the trade deadline a few months ago for Russell, but that ship sailed.

Overall, the Raptors would be a unique fit for Russell, but he may be a bit too much for the Raptors to pursue at this point with their current roster.

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