Multiple teams are evaluating trades for Lakers point guard D’Angelo Russell after Los Angeles landed the No. 2 pick in the draft, according to Sports Illustrated.
The Lakers are expected to take UCLA point guard Lonzo Ball with that pick, likely pushing Russell to a diminished role. Following a rookie season marked by conflict with then-head coach Byron Scott and a secret-video scandal in which he disclosed teammate Nick Young’s infidelity, Russell averaged 15.6 points and 4.8 assists per game on 40.5 percent shooting as a sophomore last season.
Defense remains a big issue for the youngster, who finished 84th among 91 qualified point guards in Defensive Real Plus-Minus.
There are certainly teams that could use a young point guard — including the Knicks — however, the question for the Lakers remains that of Paul George. Desperate to return to contention, the Lakers may prefer to use Russell as a trade chip to acquire George this summer instead of waiting for a future draft pick to convey.