NBA Trade Rumors (Photo : Getty Images)
A new era is about to be ushered at Staples Center as the Los Angeles Lakers play without a guy named Kobe Bryant for the first time in 19 NBA seasons. The retirement of the Black Mamba has shifted all the attention of the team's massive fan-base to their young star in D'Angelo Russell.
The no.2 overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft has shown flashes of his potential in his rookie year, averaging 13.2 points and 3.3 dimes per game over 80 games. He's pretty much a raw talent at this point, but at least the desirable skills-sets are there just waiting to be honed.
But what if the Lakers are presented an enticing offer? A trade deal for a player who has already established himself as one of the best court general in the game the last three seasons. Will the Lakers front-office be bold enough to sacrifice a promising young player in Russell for a bonifide All-Star point guard?
For the Lakers, trading Russell for Washington Wizards playmaker John Wall is quite easy, and here are the three reasons why a potential deal doesn't necessitate a lengthy discussion for it to be hammered.
-Wall is much better player than Russell at this point. This is an obvious one. While Russell is perhaps a much more polished shooter between the two guards, Wall is just far more superior player at almost everything.
Wall averaged 16.4 points and 8.3 assists in his rookie year and upped these stats to 17.0 points and 9.0 dimes after six seasons with the Washington Wizards. Russell, on the other hand, had some bumps during his rookie year and didn't actually get the trust of head coach Byron Scott until the homestretch mark of the season.
-Better ball facilitator and defender. Russell might end up as a more explosive scorer in the next 3 to 4 years, but it's easy to argue that it will take a lot for him to match Wall's court vision. Over the last two years, Walls has been one of the premier ball facilitator, averaging at least 10 dimes per contest.
Moreover, Wall's pass-first mentality would greatly benefit the likes of Jordan Clarkson, Brandon Ingram and Julius Randle, who all need great looks to be efficient scorers. Wall apparently is the anti-thesis to Russell, who turns out to be a scorer-type point guard.
Another thing is Wall happens to be a tenacious perimeter defender. Russell has the physical tools to be great, but passion in the craft remains a big question mark.
-Wall is ready to lead. Any team wants a matured and intelligent playmaker to run the show and Wall fits the bill for a young team like the Lakers. The former Kentucky standout would be a gift in the Lakers locker room because he already knows what it takes to succeed, especially after that two playoff runs with the Wizards.
Russell, meanwhile, ran into controversy right away, assuming the role as the central agent in the Nick Young's video scandal. And his swaggy lifestyle might be a little too much, even for a 20-year old kid.
The Lakers direly need a proven leader through this whole process of rebuilding and there's no better player to assume the role than a battle-tested Wall.
There's no actual trade discussion between the Lakers and Wall involving these players, at least not yet. However, the possibility of the Wizards entertaining trade offers is greater than ever following Wall's recent remark about chemistry issues with backcourt-mate Bradley Beal.
It's safe to say the Lakers will pounce on the prospect of getting Wall as soon as Wall hits the trading block.
