Of course the internet reacted to the D’Angelo Russell trade.
The silly season of the NBA off-season is upon us, and it looks like the Cleveland Cavaliers blowing up the front office that took the team to three straight NBA Finals was only the beginning. As they say on the “interweb,” the Los Angeles Lakers looked at the Cavaliers moves and said “hold my beer.”
The Lakers traded the Timofey Mozgov and D’Angelo Russell to the Brooklyn Nets for Brook Lopez and the number 27 draft pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. Obviously when you trade your number 2 pick from the 2015 draft there’s going to be quite a lot of opinions on the move.
The first indication of the move was dropped by NBA reporter extraordinaire Adrian Worjnarowski, whose reporting has now become an adjective for reporting know as the “Woj Bomb.”
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
Of course once you get the “Woj Bomb,” you need some explanation.
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
So there you have it. Jim Buss (there’s that name again) decided to give Mozgov a dumb free agent contract at 12:01 last year when free agency started. This despite nobody bidding against them; the Lakers had to dump a young point guard to sweeten the deal.
Additionally, D’Angelo Russell is partially to blame for his availability if you ask OC Register columnist Bill Oram.
Fans won't love this D'Angelo Russell trade, but the Lakers had been frustrated with him from Day 1. And they simply had to shed Mozgov.
— Bill Oram (@billoram) June 20, 2017
As expected, not everybody was happy about the trade and losing out on Russell’s potential.
Lakers better hope DeAngelo Russell doesn't turn into a star. They should've given him at least one more year to showcase his potential. 🤔😑
— E.Corona (@CoronaJr_) June 20, 2017
This trade might not just be about free agency next summer, by adding an asset late in the first round the Lakers gave themselves a chance to trade for the Indiana Pacers Paul George now.
Just heard @Lakers offered @Pacers either Jordan Clarkson or Julius Randle and 27, 28 pick for Paul George.
— Brad Turner (@BA_Turner) June 20, 2017
If the other shoe does drop, that means the Lakers will have Paul George. Also, now that Russell is gone, for some that guarantees the second overall pick. Hint: Lonzo Ball.
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
This might mean that Lonzo’s father may be the happiest the Lakers were willing to trade Russell.
Next: Could Lakers Make New Super Team?
Finally, for better or for worse, big changes are coming. And come September there will be a different team on the Staples Center court.