Lakers center Roy Hibbert and rookie point guard D'Angelo Russell. (Photo : Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Lakers, with their playoff hopes all but gone, are expected to be one of the most aggressive sellers weeks before the mid-season deadline. And basing on the latest trade chatters alone, the Lakers are going to be a pretty big player on the trading market.
Possible Trade Destinations for D'Angelo Russell - According to Brian Geltzeiler, the rookie guard could be available on the block at trade deadline.
The no.2 overall has been having a solid season (12.0 ppg, 3.4 apg, 3.6 rpg), although it wasn't as stellar as what expected from the former Ohio State Buckeyes playmaker. He turns the over at least two times per game and struggles defending his man. In short, he's still a project waiting to blossom.
While the Lakers can still wait for Russell to develop into an elite playmaker, the possibility of general manager Mitch Kupchak trading his pick for an enticing package or an upcoming prospect cannot be set aside.
FanSided reporter Charles Rahig even believed there are at least five potential destinations for Russell if he ever gets traded. These are the Chicago Bulls, the Philadelphia 76ers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Phoenix Suns and the Utah Jazz.
In the list of possible suitors for Russell, the Bulls are quite surprising since they have a pretty terrific backcourt tandem with Derrick Rose and Jimmy Butler.
However, with Rose still struggling to stay in shape and apparently playing levels below his former self, Chicago top-brass might find this proposal intriguing, especially if it includes a rim protector like Roy Hibbert.
Lakers put four veterans on the block - ESPN's NBA writer Marc Stein reported that the Lakers are putting their four veterans on the block.
Nick Young, Roy Hibbert, Brandon Bass and Lou Williams could be all playing with their new teams soon, as the Lakers look to clear salaries in preparation for a big off-season splurge with incoming free-agent forward Kevin Durant as the ultimate prize.
"Denver is making no secret of veteran forward J.J. Hickson's availability. Ditto for the Los Angeles Lakers and a number of veterans on their roster: Roy Hibbert, Brandon Bass, Nick Young and Lou Williams. We should note, however, that Hibbert possesses the only expiring contract in that quartet. Bass holds a $3.1 million player option for next season," according to ESPN.
