If the Los Angeles Lakers want to compete for a championship this season, they must be willing to execute a player swap or two.
To prepare for a successful postseason, the Lakers may consider cutting ties with an inconsistent role player in favor of a veteran San Antonio Spurs guard.
“The Lakersare sitting at 10-4, but they’re not without their issues,” Fadeaway World’s Fran Leiva wrote Thursday. “D’Angelo Russell, while showing flashes, hasn’t been consistent enough, although he’s found some success lately off the bench.”
“He’s averaging 11.8 points, 2.4 boards, and 4.9 assists, but shooting just 39.7% from the field and a rough 31.2% from deep. Defense? Let’s just say it’s not his thing. A lot of people are questioning if he’s the right fit to run alongside LeBron (James) and (Anthony) Davis as his contract expires after the season.”
“Meanwhile, the Spurs are 7-8 and clearly focused on rebuilding around Victor Wembanyama. Chris Paul, even at 39, is still a steady presence, putting up 10.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 8.5 assists while shooting 46.7% from the floor and 39.7% from three.”
“But let’s be real—CP3’s timeline doesn’t match the Spurs’ long-term plans. They might prefer someone younger who can grow with the team.”
“Enter D’Angelo Russell. He’s younger, has scoring potential, and could slide into a key role for the Spurs while clearing a big chunk of cap space with his $18 million deal off the books after the season.”
“For the Lakers, CP3 brings leadership and playoff experience that could elevate their roster when it matters most. Plus, Julian Champagnie adds some depth, even if he’s not a game-changer yet.”
“There’s risk, though. Chris Paul’s age and injury history are real concerns, and D’Lo’s inconsistency makes him a gamble for any team. But hey, risky trades are what keep the NBA spicy. This one might just make sense for both sides.”
The Lakers would trade Russell to the Spurs for Paul and Champagnie in Leiva’s mock trade.
Paul is 39 years old and preparing to complete his 20th season in the NBA, so it’s safe to assume his best days are behind him.
The astonishing yo-yo dribbler isn’t the same ball screen operator, downhill ball handler, and sneaky athlete he was early in his career, but he’s likely a safer bet than Russell.
While Paul’s enduring one of the worst campaigns of his two-decade-long career, his brilliant basketball mind, admirable leadership skills, and valuable NBA finals experience give him a clear edge over the 2019 All-Star.
Perhaps Russell will raise his level of play moving forward, but if the Lakers want to avoid the stress the Ohio State product brings during the playoffs, they’ll make a change before Feb. 6.