Reports: Lakers set to ship Russell to Nets
LOS ANGELES — Three people with knowledge of the deal say the Los Angeles Lakers have agreed to trade point guard D’Angelo Russell and highpriced centre Timofey Mozgov to the Brooklyn Nets for big man Brook Lopez and the 27th overall pick in the upcoming draft.
The trade hadn’t been consummated as of Tuesday.
The Lakers’ new front office led by Magic Johnson has boldly decided to give up on Russell, the No. 2 pick in the 2015 draft, after just two years. He averaged 15.6 points and 4.8 assists last season while Los Angeles struggled to its fourth consecutive losing record.
The deal all but confirms Los Angeles will select UCLA point guard Lonzo Ball with the second overall pick in the draft Thursday, adding the gifted playmaker to run coach Luke Walton’s uptempo offence.
The Lakers also appear to be sacrificing Russell to clear the salary cap space eaten up by the final three seasons of the fouryear, $64-million US contract given to Mozgov by the previous front office. Although Mozgov performed reasonably well when given the chance last season, averaging 7.4 points and 4.9 rebounds, the 7-foot-1 Russian didn’t appear to fit into Walton’s Golden State-influenced schemes.
Mozgov and forward Luol Deng both got exorbitant freeagent deals from general manager Mitch Kupchak and decision-maker Jim Buss last July. Both were dismissed in February by owner Jeanie Buss, who hired Magic and general manager Rob Pelinka to return the 16-time champions to contention.
If the Lakers continue to create salary cap room with other moves, they could be an attractive landing spot for free agents next season with the flexibility to offer two enormous contracts — perhaps even maximum deals. Although the moves likely would require further abandonment of their rebuild around youth, Los Angeles also would still have wing scorer Brandon Ingram and Ball, the last two No. 2 picks in the draft.
Indiana star Paul George has long nursed a desire to return to his native Southern California to suit up for the Lakers, while LeBron James leads the list of potential free agents who could be intrigued by the chance to form a super-team in Hollywood.