Los Angeles Lakers Rumors: Team Would Trade D’Angelo Russell For DeMarcus Cousins Without Hesitation
The Los Angeles Daily News has reported that the Los Angeles Lakers would trade D’Angelo Russell, who they drafted second overall in Thursday’s NBA Draft, “tomorrow” if that alone would complete a deal with the Sacramento Kings for DeMarcus Cousins.
Lakers are reportedly willing to trade D'Angelo Russell in a potential DeMarcus Cousins deal http://t.co/yeiNbe8asx pic.twitter.com/PWqyTM4Pl8
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 28, 2015
Of course, this trade would never happen for numerous reasons. First, you would have to make the salaries work for both parties, which is impossible without the Lakers sending more than Russell. Secondly, the Kings are going to want much more for their franchise player. Also, they have Cousins under contract for three more years and have no reason to move him unless the deal is perfect.
So why does it matter if it will never happen? This report shows that while the Lakers are in love with Russell and believe he will be a star in this league, they are still willing to move on if it means a superstar can come to Los Angeles immediately. Cousins is a player that has the ability to be a huge star right now. D’Angelo Russell has the potential to be a huge star. We don’t know if he will be better than Cousins, but he might be. That uncertainty makes Cousins very intriguing for the Lakers front office.
If the Lakers were willing to offer Russell, Julius Randle, and a future draft pick, the Kings should accept that deal. A young core of Willie Cauley-Stein, Randle, and Russell would allow the team to build from the ground up with a team filled with great promise.
Although, for Russell straight up? There is not a chance of this trade being completed. But it does show that the Lakers value Russell very highly, but they may value Cousins more, who can make their team a contender next season, unlike Russell. The idea that the Lakers are trying to be aggressive to make their team a contender must be intriguing for Lakers fans.
The Los Angeles Lakers have been linked to many big men in free agency, including Kevin Love and LaMarcus Aldridge. However, Kevin Love has said that he plans to stay in Cleveland, unlike Aldridge who has said that he has no plans to keep his talents in Portland.
The Lakers may not have to give up their top prospect in order to become a contender next season. They have a great chance to pick up Aldridge in free agency, who I would argue is just as talented as Cousins, without the attitude issues.
[Image Source: Kirk Irwin / Getty Images]
