The NBA trade deadline is rapidly approaching, and teams only have until 3 p.m. Eastern time on Feb. 8 to complete any potential deal.
The urgency is growing for the Los Angeles Lakers to do something in order to salvage their season. They have a 24-25 record after back-to-back losses against the Houston Rockets and Atlanta Hawks, and they badly need a shot in the arm in more ways than one.
They have a number of rumored trade targets, including, of course, the Hawks’ Dejounte Murray. The Hawks reportedly don’t want D’Angelo Russell in a potential Murray trade, and thus the current sticking point is the need for a third team to get involved.
But overall, Russell doesn’t seem to be wanted on the trade market, according to Brian Windhorst (h/t Lakers Daily).
"You have a team that's under achieving beyond LeBron and AD, and after that – it's hard to trade pieces that are under achieving."@WindhorstESPN on the potential #Lakers trade assets | @EvCoRadio @ChrisCanty99 @msmallmon via #USL on @ESPNRadio | @ESPNLosAngeles pic.twitter.com/XxCnytrBTY
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“The Lakers have shown a willingness to trade that first-round pick, but they still haven’t been able to close a deal because there is not a lot of excitement about D’Angelo Russell,” Windhorst said. “That would be the guy in the deal. He’s got an option in his contract for $18 million next year, and teams aren’t excited about him.”
Russell has had an impressive hot streak in January during which he has shot an extremely high percentage from 3-point range, although he may be starting to flame out. But his player option for next season dents his attractiveness, as teams can’t be sure he would stick around past this season.
In addition, he has a history of being streaky, especially in the playoffs, and his defense is lackluster.
Windhorst did say that L.A. does have two assets that are attractive right now on the market — its 2029 first-round draft pick and guard Austin Reaves. However, it is reportedly very reluctant to give up Reaves, whose shooting efficiency is down this season, unless it receives a bona fide star in return.
