Fansided

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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Feb 6, 2017; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks small forward Carmelo Anthony (7) controls the ball against Los Angeles Lakers point guard D’Angelo Russell (1) during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 6, 2017; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks small forward Carmelo Anthony (7) controls the ball against Los Angeles Lakers point guard D’Angelo Russell (1) during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

2. New York Knicks

The New York Knicks could actually make a deal for D’Angelo Russell work with their current roster and their draft pick situation.

The team is loaded with guys like Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis, and it holds the eighth pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. They have the assets to send over to the Lakers and would get a solid return should they send over the right guys to L.A.

The Lakers could pull off a deal for Anthony, who has been in the rumor mill seemingly forever as someone who wants to leave the Knicks and as someone the team wants gone. Anthony would provide star power and a veteran presence on an incredibly young roster and would help bring some legitimacy back to the Lakers after the loss of Kobe Bryant.

The Knicks would benefit greatly from this entire situation, and it may be worth giving up their top 10 pick in this year’s draft for such a great asset. With Porzingis feeling some woes with the Knicks because of the drama with Anthony, adding Russell to help load up the Knicks for a potential run would be huge to keeping their star center around.

The team would likely need to give up Anthony and/or its pick to get the best possible situation out of the deal (though ideally just Anthony), and the Knicks could set themselves up greatly for their future while eliminating some of the baggage on their roster. It’d provide a great replacement for Rose and give the team some cap relief in the end.

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