On Tuesday afternoon, the NBA world was hit with the biggest Woj Bomb of the offseason so far. According to Adrian Wojnarowski, the Los Angeles Lakers have traded D’Angelo Russell and Timofey Mozgov to the Brooklyn Nets for Brook Lopez and the 27th pick in the upcoming draft.
Lakers are trading Tim Mozgov and D'Angelo Russell to Nets for Brook Lopez and 27th pick Thursday, sources say.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 20, 2017
There are a lot of angles to parse here, but the basic gist seems to be this:
The Lakers get: Relief from Mozgov’s terrible contract, cap space for next summer, another draft pick and a serviceable veteran
The Nets get: A 21-year-old point guard who was the No. 2 pick in the NBA Draft only two years ago.
The Lakers also clear their point guard slot in time to take, presumably, Lonzo Ball in the draft on Thursday.
For the Lakers, this is longer-term play to clear space for Paul George and LeBron James pursuit. Lonzo Ball on way at No.2 https://t.co/KxfdEuAUO0
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 20, 2017
The Lakers now have a few potential futures. They could…
– Use the upcoming season to develop Lonzo, Brandon Ingram, Julius Randle, Jordan Clarkson and the rest of a young roster, then sign Paul George next offseason.
– Clear some extra cap space by moving on from some of their young players, then go after not only George but also, gulp, LeBron James.
If LAL can find a home for Clarkson, not bring back Randle and stretch Deng, cap space in 18-19 would be $64m. Good enough for 2 max.
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) June 20, 2017
– Say “screw it” and trade for George right now so integrate with Ball, Ingram and company in 2017-18, before adding another star a year from now with sights on contending for a title in 2019 or 2020.
Can the Lakers now land Paul George by offering Thursday's No. 27 and 28 picks and either Julius Randle or Jordan Clarkson? They're trying.
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 20, 2017
Regardless, the Lakers need to acquire Paul George (and maybe more) for this trade to work out for them. Otherwise, they’ve sold low on an extremely young and recently lauded point guard for little return.
But regardless of what happens next, it’s clear new team president Magic Johnson has quickly turned Los Angeles into, once again, a team to keep an eye on at all times.
Stay tuned.
