With the exception of his rookie year in 2015–16, Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell has never gone a season without trade speculations taking place. He’ll be in familiar territory heading into the 2024–25 season as many pundits and
insiders anticipate the Lakers to shop the seasoned guard before to the trade deadline of February 6, 2025.
In a three-team deal that also includes the Pelicans, Bleacher Report’s Andy Bailey has suggested sending Russell to the Bulls.
Zach LaVine and Antonio Reeves are acquired by the Los Angeles Lakers.
Brandon Ingram, D’Angelo Russell, Jalen Hood-Schifino, a Los Angeles first-round selection in 2029, and a Los Angeles first-round selection in 2031 are acquired by the Chicago Bulls.
Rui Hachimura, Chris Duarte, Cam Reddish, Jaxson Hayes, and a Chicago first-round selection in 2031 are acquired
by the New Orleans Pelicans.
Bailey stated that Ingram might be a disgruntled asset on the move because he declined to sign a contract extension with the Pelicans this summer.
Similarly, according to some insiders, LaVine was extensively courted by the Bulls throughout the previous season and would be better off joining his home team, the Lakers.
Ingram and Russell Reuinted?
Russell and Ingram, who were teammates in the latter’s 2016–17 Lakers debut season, would be reunited via the proposed deal.
Bailey believed that the Bulls should proceed with the planned deal in order to pass the team on to Josh Giddey and Matas Buzelis, who are both young players, as neither player could be a long-term fit with the team. The Bulls might
be persuaded to make the trade in order to get rid of the salaries and clear the books in order to start over, as both Russell and Ingram have contracts that are about to expire and can both become free agents in 2025.
“They can just let their money come off the books next summer if they can’t find other takers to flip them [Russell and Ingram] to before February,” wrote Bailey on October 9. “They now have another intriguing young guard to watch during these rebuilding years with the addition of Hood-Schifino.”
What’s more, Chicago and New Orleans both receive first-round selections because to this arrangement. Bulls
supporters might not think that’s enough, but it’s a hell of a lot better than having to attach a first to LaVine in order to dump him, as Marks had implied they might have to do in June.
Should Lakers Trade All Those Picks?
Bailey’s proposed deal demands two highly sought-after first-round picks from the Lakers. It is questionable whether LaVine is the kind of player the front staff under Rob Pelinka would be prepared to trade with significant draft picks for.
The Lakers were reportedly considering trading the choices for players like Donovan Mitchell, Trae Young, and
Dejounte Murray during the previous season, according to multiple insider reports. But in the 2024 summer, two of
those All-Star guards either committed to their current team or inked new deals. As a result, LaVine could have to settle for the Lakers.
Pelinka discussed what it would mean for the Lakers to give up their two tradeable first-round picks prior to the 2024–25 campaign.
According to Yahoo Sports, Pelinka stated, “I think JJ [Redick] and I are aligned on is we want to build sustainable Lakers excellence.” “.. If a trade including both picks resulted in continued Lakers success, then sure, we would make
the move. If we thought it was appropriate, we would additionally utilise one pick to make a slight upgrade. This
offseason, we searched far and wide to see if there was any way to improve the overall talent on the squad, but the proper opportunity didn’t present itself.
Sai Mohan writes about basketball for Heavy.com. With over two decades of publishing experience, Sai is an
experienced sports writer based in Portugal. She has had bylines at Yardbarker, FanSided’s Hoops Habit, International Business Times, Hindustan Times, and other publications. Additional information on Sai Mohan
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