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D’Angelo Russell Trade: Three things to know about the stunning move

ByKeith Rivas|
Feb 26, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers head coach Luke Walton talks with guard D'Angelo Russell (1) in the first quarter against the San Antonio Spurs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 26, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers head coach Luke Walton talks with guard D'Angelo Russell (1) in the first quarter against the San Antonio Spurs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
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Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

It opened up the necessary cap space for superstars

Enough with the dumb money — this front office knows it needs to put their money where their mouth is. Magic Johnson has said in thepastthat the Lakers just need a superstar to get on the elite level in the league.

Now is their chance.

By dealing Timofey Mozgov as part of the deal, theteam lifts$54 million. Just like that, Los Angeles is immediately in play for any big names in free agency.

Lakers shed $54M left on Mozgov deal, Nets get gifted young guard in Russell. Nets needed to flip Lopez expiring contract.https://t.co/KxfdEuAUO0

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn)June 20, 2017

Well, money wise at least.

Since we know that money talks, it could put them in a good position to surround the rest of the cast with better players. Assuming they get Paul George a year early via trade, that money can go towards pushing a playoff type team.

And we all know Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka would rather win sooner than later.

Ever since Paul George expressed that he wanted to become a part of the Lakers, this is something we should’ve seen coming. Thanks to the terrible deal to get Mozgov in the first place, the team had to send the guy that was supposed to be their future star packing.

But maybe that’s what they needed to do for the better interest of the team in the long run.

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