D'Angelo Russell (Photo : Christian Petersen / Getty Images Sport)
The LA Lakers agenda has been revealed.
According to Colin Cowherd, host of radio show, "The Herd" with Fox Sports (formerly of ESPN), the Lakers will trade their young core for a superstar this offseason. (h/t Lakers Nation for the transcription).
"The Lakers would trade three of them. They'd like to keep Julius Randle. They'd move the other three to rebuild it with multiple free agents and Randle's the only one they really truly believe is ready very quickly to be on a really good NBA team."
Watch the video in Lakers' reporter Serena Winters' Twitter.
According to Cowherd, citing his sources, the Lakers really like their four young players - Julius Randle, Jordan Clarkson and D'Angelo Russell, the fourth presumably Larry Nance, Jr according to Lake Show Life.
They also think D'Angelo Russell would be a great player, but they are not willing to wait. LSL transcribed Cowherd's pronouncement:
"They think D'Angelo Russell, within two years, could be really special. They don't think he's going to be special this year, and they don't think he's going to be special next year. They think he's two years from being a very special player. They don't want to wait."
Cowherd also mentioned that the Lakers are intently watching the situation with the Philadelphia 76ers and conclude that "you can't win young in the East, forget the tough West."
This means that the Lakers will trade their young players except Randle to get a star. With this development, the rumors that linked the Lakers to DeMarcus Cousins could probably have substance and may even take place in the off-season.
Another possibility is that the Lakers are intent to continue losing so they can keep their draft pick (which has to be in the top three otherwise it goes to the Sixers) as another asset, perhaps to use in a trade or join Randle and their superstar prospect.
If the Oklahoma City Thunder fail to reach expectations and the possibility arises that Kevin Durant might leave, the Lakers may actually offer their young pieces for him. The Thunder can at least salvage some assets than lose Durant outright. This is a long shot, but it cannot be discounted.
The Lakers have made no official statement as of this writing with regard to Cowherd's comments.
