Aloha,
Just saw a little tweet from Mark Stein that the Hornets might have interest in Russ. That’s surprising considering their need for a center. Looking at their Roster The often injured Hayward seems like the player they maybe interested in moving. He will have played less than 50 games each of the years with the Hornets. He has 2 years left at 39 mil after this year. They might look to move Scary Terry for the center they need, which Russ would fill his spot. Hayward is a good player when he can play. It will be interesting to see what they want to do. By the way Tom before you post a trade proposal, I doubt that Ball or Bridges will be part of the package. 🙂
Aloha, Michael,
A lot of the interest in Russ is also interest in a potentially unprotected post-LeBron first round draft pick. We saw at the trade deadline that every deal the Lakers were discussing fell through because we would not give up the pick. We can expect that same attitude this summer. Truth is, after watching the Lakers pick projected to end up in top-ten, there will be a lot of interest in potentially unprotected post-LeBron Lakers’ first round draft picks.
We both agree the Lakers should generally use their picks to acquire the right players rather than getting rid of the wrong ones, meaning Russ. The Lakers best option is to trade Russ and the two picks for three quality rotation players like Turner, Brogdon, and McConnell from the Pacers or Rose, Randle, and Reddish from the Knicks. Those are the kinds of trades the Lakers are hoping they can put together this summer. 1-on-1 trades to turn Russ into three rotation players.
If they can’t find a team with three acceptable rotation players, then they can spit the picks up and do two deals for one or two rotation players. The Hornets could be one of those one-pick deals. A trade of Russ and a pick for Hayward and Oubre would be good deal for the Lakers, giving them two desperately needed bigger 3&D wings and still leaving them with a pick to use in a Horton-Tucker and Nunn trade, maybe for a stretch five center like Kelly Olynyk or Cam Reddish. Bottom line, Lakers would be able to get a trio like Hayward, Oubre, and Olynyk or Reddish would be a terrific yield for Russ, 2 picks, and THT and Nunn.
Feels like the expected haul for Russ is either oft-injured and streaky or broken and expensive. Hoping for something better but expecting about that level of impact.
Two kinds of players Lakers can get for Russ:
1. Overpaid on multiple year contracts.
2. Underpaid on multiple year contracts.
Not going to get young, healthy, promising young players without any warts or flaws.
https://twitter.com/LakerTom/status/1512166141875027978
https://twitter.com/LakerTom/status/1512171063400038404
I actually prefer Oubre because of his defense and size but Rozier’s shooting is a better overall fit and Hornets want out of his 4-year deal.
https://twitter.com/LakerCentral365/status/1512171221387030535