Grade the trade: Lakers send D’Angelo Russell to Raptors in proposed pitch
We are within 50 hours of the 2024 NBA trade deadline and the Los Angeles Lakers have not made any moves to speak of. After struggling through most of December and January, fans assumed that the purple and gold would be adding help at the deadline for a title push.
It hasn’t happened yet and it isn’t for a lack of trying. The Lakers simply do not have as much to trade as the team may have thought. The only assets that reportedly have any value are the 2029 first-round pick and Austin Reaves; the latter of which is not being shopped in any capacity by the Lake Show.
While it may seem bleak for the purple and gold on the trade front, there is some momentum toward making a move before the deadline passes. ESPN’s Dave McMenamin broke down the several teams that have had trade talks for D’Angelo Russell with a new team entering the mix: the Toronto Raptors.
“Russell’s name has been mentioned in trade talks with the Brooklyn Nets, Toronto Raptors and Atlanta Hawks in recent weeks, sources told ESPN, while the point guard managed to play some of the best basketball of his career.”
Toronto Raptors could be a trade destination for D’Angelo Russell
The Raptors were not previously mentioned as a potential Russell landing spot, which makes their inclusion all the more interesting. Both Atlanta and Brooklyn have been tied to Russell in the past due to the Dejounte Murray trade rumors. Toronto is a new development.
What makes this even more interesting is the fact that the Raptors have a possible trade target for the Lakers: Bruce Brown. Brown was acquired in the Pascal Siakam trade and at this rate, it would be shocking if he lasts the entire season in Toronto.
Thus, a trade idea is born. On the following pages, we will break down what this trade package could look like as well as hand out some grades.
