D'Angelo Russell is not having the most ideal rookie season. The point guard was drafted to be a franchise player in the post-Kobe Bryant era. So far it is clear he needs a little more time to develop into the court general the Lakers need to move forward. After getting benched several times in the past few weeks, the Lakers are confident in improvement and are absolutely not shopping Russell in a trade.
Russell is coming off a game where he had three points and three turnovers as the Lakers fell to the Chicago Bulls. No longer a starter, Russell is trying to figure out what is wrong while head coach Byron Scott questions his effort. However, despite all of the frustration surrounding the No.2 overall draft pick in 2015, the Lakers are not dealing the point guard at the deadline.
While rumors have started to swirl around Russell, Jake Fisher of Sports Illustrated reports the Lakers are not interested in making the point guard as they remain committed to the idea that the rookie along with Jordan Clarkson will be the future of the team's backcourt. If that is true, the Lakers will have to re-sign Clarkson this offseason as he is set to become a restricted free agent. The play of Russell will likely dictate just how much that contract offer to Clarkson is. Investing in two young point guards seems pointless when the Lakers have other upgrades to make, but right now Scott likes the idea of the duo. Meanwhile, Scott is holding out hope that Russell improves.
"I think it's important because we want to see him against these top-tier guys again," Scott said via the OC Register, "almost like the second time around. A little bit like Jordan (Clarkson) last year, when he faced Chris Paul the first time, and some of these guys the second time, he fared better. I want to see how D'Angelo reacts the second time around against some of these guys as well."
While Russell is not available, other members of the Lakers might be. According to Marc Stein of ESPN.com, Roy Hibbert, Nick Young, Brandon Bass and Lou Williams are all available for the taking. Of the four players, Hibbert is the only one with an expiring contract and might be the only one that garners any type of trade interest. While Bass and Williams have been playing well, no one wants contracts that will impact their salary cap heading into next season. Bass has a $3.1 million player option for next season which someone might be willing to take.
According general manager Mitch Kupchak via the Los Angeles Daily News, the trade interest right now surrounds the younger players like Julius Randle or Clarkson, but the Lakers are not selling their youth. The Lakers are counting on the young players to lead them through the transition once Bryant retires. For now, only the veterans are available in deals.
