D'Angelo Russell (Photo : Christian Petersen / Getty Images Sport)
The Los Angeles Lakers are not expected to make significant moves at the trade deadline but they can address a position of need.
The Lakers currently has two young, promising point guards who can also score: Jordan Clarkson and D'Angelo Russell. Clarkson was a surprise second round pick in the 2014 draft and he actually made the All-Rookie Team.
Thus, it was quite a surprise when the Lakers, who won the 2nd overall pick in the draft lottery, chose D'Angelo Russell from Ohio State instead of taking a center in Jahlil Okafor or the enigmatic (at the time of the draft) Kristaps Porzingis.
To his credit, Clarkson continued to thrive even with Russell in the roster and Russell's struggles are more the fault of their coach, Byron Scott rather than being the same position as Clarkson. The two young players can actually play together.
But the Lakers need to make a choice at the end of the season as Clarkson will become a free agent. If the Lakers sign a big contract with a long-term commitment for him, it might be better for the Lakers to address their needs in other positions-specifically the need for a solid wing scorer.
That was precisely the point that former Grantland boss Bill Simmons wanted to make in his podcast. In his series of fake trades (but could actually happen), he wanted the Lakers to trade the 2015 2nd overall pick with the 2014 2nd overall pick, Jabari Parker of the Milwaukee Bucks.
On the surface, the trade makes a lot of sense. The Bucks have wing scorers in Khris Middleton and Giannis Antetokounmpo and their position of need is at the point. D'Angelo Russell would be unleashed with the Bucks and he would have head coach Jason Kidd as a worthy mentor.
LA Lakers team site Silver Screen And Roll analyzed the proposed trade and noted that Simmons is not a reporter, so these are not exactly being discussed by the two teams. They also note that the statistics of the two players are not really that different and it might come down to an issue of fit.
Will the Lakers and Bucks gamble on this? It's not a game-changing trade and it doesn't seem like there's a clear winner or loser and the potential for success is there.
