D'Angelo Russell (Photo : Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Lakers and Chicago Bulls could swap point guards this summer, according to the latest NBA trade rumors.
The Lakers are in the middle of a drama that D'Angelo Russell created, which may have harmed Los Angeles' chance to land top-talented free agents this summer and may have put the rookie's career with the team in limbo.
But while it is unlikely that the Lakers trade their 2016 second overall pick, it remains as a possibility to move Russell, especially if it the team's front office deems he has done too much damage to LA's image.
This is where CSN Chicago Mark Schanowski's suggestion enters.
According to Shanowski, the Lakers possibly trading Russell, could be the Bulls' opportunity to improve their roster in what could be an immediate rebuild for Chicago. Schanowski's trade scenario has the Bulls sending Derrick Rose to the 16-time NBA champs in exchange for Russell.
The Bulls are in the brink of failing to reach the playoffs, and many reports have projected Chicago to make some changes in their roster in the offseason, according to Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders. It remains to be seen whether the Bulls intend to move on from their All-Star point guard, but if they do, but if they intend for a roster shakeup, Rose seems to be the likeliest candidate.
"We know Derrick Rose spends his summers in Los Angeles and might welcome the challenge of succeeding Kobe Bryant as the featured star in Laker Land," Schanowski wrote.
"So, would the Bulls consider a 1-for-1 trade of Rose for Russell, which would work since the Lakers could absorb Rose's $21.3 million contract for next season into their ample cap space?"
Surely there will be plenty of disapprovals from Lakers fans if such a deal materializes. The 27-year-old Rose has not been the same since suffering devastating injuries that has limited him in the past three season with the Bulls. While Rose is battle-tested, Russell offers more potential and is more of a long-term option for a team, considering his age.
Even with the recent Young video-taped conversation, there is not much sense for the Lakers trading Russell, much more for a point guard who has a history of injuries.
As for the Bulls, trading Rose would save them the time of dealing with the former All-Star's impending free agency. Rose, who is on a five-year $94 million contract with the Bulls, is set to become a free agent in next year's summer and much of the drama would surely center on trading him before the deadline or retaining him in free agency.
The Lakers have plenty to address in the offseason, with the draft and free agency arguably the team's main focus. Trading Russell does not appear to be in LA's to-do list this summer, but it is a move the Bulls may truly consider in the offseason.
