By now, the NBA world knows the Los Angeles Lakers’ point guard situation isn’t ideal.
The organization could relieve some stress by trading an unreliable contributor who occupies the position to the Washington Wizards.
“The Washington Wizards are a team to look out for on the trade market this season due to the fact that they have the worst record in the league,” Sports Illustrated’s Jeremy Brener wrote Wednesday.
“This means that they are a candidate to take on hefty contracts of players that are on good teams in the hopes that some draft capital will be attached to them.”
“Bleacher Report writer Eric Pincus lists the Wizards as a potential landing spot for Los Angeles Lakers point guard D’Angelo Russell.”
“The Lakers have been linked to a few of the Wizards trade targets including Kyle Kuzma and Jonas Valanciunas.”
“Putting Russell in a trade for one or both of them could give the Wizards a point guard option for the rest of the season that could help set up the rest of Washington’s young core for success.”
“Russell likely won’t re-sign with the Wizards beyond the season, but having him for the latter part of the year could bring on some value along with whatever future draft capital the Lakers would be willing to include in a trade.”
Despite having his moments off the bench following an unsurprising demotion, Russell’s inconsistent play continues to be a glaring issue.
The Ohio State product finished with 28 points on 52.9% field goal shooting and 50% three-point shooting against the Portland Trail Blazers last Sunday, but he netted 12 points on horrendous shooting splits in the following two outings.
While Russell is undoubtedly a smooth operator who doesn’t get sped up, the Lakers are beginning to grow weary of his erratic tendencies on the hardwood.
The 6-foot-3 guard averages 12.4 points per contest on 41% field goal shooting and 33.3% long-range shooting this season.
If the Wizards are open to taking Russell off the Lakers’ hands, Los Angeles will undeniably be in better shape after the Feb. 6 trade deadline.
