Lakers Rumors: LA Looking To Move On From D'Angelo Russell?

Are the Lakers cooking something up with their division rivals?

The NBA season has come to an end, and we are now officially in the offseason. It will be a big one for your Los Angeles Lakers, and we cannot wait to see what they do to compete once again in the 2023-2024 season. 

A lot will and could happen for the Lakers, including the status of point guard D'Angelo Russell. Russell played in 17 regular season games plus the 16 post-season games for the puple and gold, and even though he was solid throughout, the Western Conference Finals wasn't kind to the 27-year-old. Russell's performance in the WCF left a sour taste in all of our mouths, and we'll see how they approach him. 

This summer's free-agent class is filled with stars that LA could go after, but they may go another direction that involves Russell and... the Phoneix Suns?!?! 

NBA reporter for Yahoo Sports Jake Fischer reported that the Suns could be a team to look for to do a sign-and-trade with Los Angeles. 

Russell is known to be close friends with Booker. Plus, the Lakers are said to be exploring similar sign-and-trade possibilities with Russell. For Los Angeles and Phoenix, losing Russell by free agency or waiving Paul would sacrifice a $30 million salary slot that feels all the more precious while staring down a daunting new second tax apron in the league’s upcoming collective bargaining agreement. These decisions are not ones to make on a whim, and that’s why Phoenix and Paul have begun discussing different alternatives roughly three weeks before free agency begins.

(Via Yahoo Sports)

A sign-and-trade makes sense, as we learned last week that the Suns would be waiving the Point God in Chris Paul. The Lakers immediately came to everyone's mind as Lakers forward LeBron James and Paul are close friends. 

It's not certain that Paul will be waived, but if he does, look for the Lakers to try adding the 12-time All-Star. I would love Russell back with the team, as he was scratching the surface alongside Anthony Davis and James, but if they can't work something out, it would be best for LA to explore a sign-and-trade centering the one-time All-Star. 

Are you following us on Twitter, Facebook, or YouTube yet? Join the conversation as we discuss the latest Lakers news and rumors with fans like you!