NBA Offseason Awards For Western Conference

By Isaac Harris

Aug 14, 2017

BLOOMINGTON, MN - JUNE 29: Tom Thibobeau introduces Jimmy Butler of the Minnesota Timberwolves to the public during a press conference at the Mall of America on June 29, 2017 in Bloomington, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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BROOKLYN, NY – JUNE 26: D’Angelo Russell /

Riskiest Move: Los Angeles Lakers Trading D’Angelo Russell

The Los Angeles Lakers were serious about shedding a bad contract and it came at the price of their 2nd overall pick from the 2015 NBA Draft in D’Angelo Russell.

Connected to Lonzo Ball from even before the NBA Draft Lottery, the Lakers were presumed by many to select Ball with the second overall pick. Then the fit with Russell was the talk around the Lakers.

Los Angeles didn’t even give it a shot as they attached Russell with Mozgov in a deal for Brook Lopez. Yes, Lopez is a solid player, but he is an expiring contract and this deal was done mainly to open up cap space next summer to chase big time free agents.

What if Los Angeles doesn’t land a big free agent next summer and Russell plays at a high level in Brooklyn? What if the deal truly does open up cap room to bring in both Paul George and LeBron James?

We don’t know what will happen, but either way, it’s a risky move giving up that quick on Russell.

Riskiest Move: Los Angeles Lakers Trading D’Angelo Russell

Runner-Up: Minnesota Swapping Ricky Rubio for Jeff Teague