A three-team trade idea to land the Los Angeles Lakers Malcolm Brogdon, Jonas Valančiūnas | News, scores, highlights, stats and rumors

The Lakers’ relationship with Russell is long and tenuous. The 2023 trade that brought him back to LA (where he spent his first two seasons) helped the franchise return to the Western Conference Finals. But Russell’s best skill (shooting) hasn’t translated well in the postseason, and the Lakers have hoped to upgrade defensively at the position.

Valančiūnas was on the list of names that LeBron was willing to take less for in free agency, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin in late June.

Is Valančiūnas capable of playing playoff minutes at this stage of his career? That’s debatable, but the Lakers have a history of pursuing players on James’ various rosters (including Russell Westbrook), and Valančiūnas certainly checks the “girth” box at 6’11”, 265 pounds.

Brogdon is a career three-point shooter with more defensive skills than Russell. He has struggled to stay on the court consistently throughout his career, but that’s why the Lakers could get him for what they’re giving up.

Because the Lakers would have a hard cap on the second platform ($188.9 million) by merging contracts, several others, including Vincent, Reddish, Wood and Hood-Schifino, would have to leave. LA must also add an additional player via free agency on a pro-rated minimum contract earning no more than approximately $900.00 to reach the required 14.

The Lakers give up depth but fill positions of need, including Carter from Chicago to replace Vincent. The 6-foot-1 guard lacks height, but has experience, can battle defensively and has proven to be an excellent shooter on good teams and a poor shooter on bad teams.