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The Los Angeles Lakers are in desperate need to make a move to improve the roster and give themselves a chance of making the 2023 NBA Playoffs.
The Lakers have endured another up-and-down regular season featuring injuries and inconsistent play on both ends of the floor.
Los Angeles is not oblivious to the position it’s in as they’ve been one of the most active teams ahead of the annual NBA trade deadline.
Unlike last year, the Lakers have more contracts to include in trades and the most likely player to be moved is D’Angelo Russell.
Russell has been on a heater the past couple of weeks since being re-inserted into the starting lineup, but is often the first player brought up in potential trades.
It feels like Russell is bound to get dealt in the next two weeks and Jovan Buha said he believes the odds favor a trade via The Volume.
“I put it at around 40 percent, so more likely than not he’s traded,” Buha said.
What are the chances D’Angelo Russell is still a Laker in two weeks? @jovanbuha tells @_JasonLT about LA’s plans at the deadline pic.twitter.com/9St11BbP9R
— The Volume (@TheVolumeSports) January 26, 2024
Russell had the option to keep a no-trade clause in his contract, but elected to leave it out with the understanding that the two sides would explore a deal.
The guard also has a player option for the 2024-25 NBA season, complicating trade negotiations further.
Los Angeles has talked to several teams about offloading Russell with the most common deal involving Atlanta Hawks star Dejounte Murray.
The Lakers have always chased after big names via trade and it seems like they’re intent on landing someone like Murray before the deadline passes.
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