NBA regular season is in full swing, with many teams involved in trade rumors and several star players potentially on the move. Take the Pelicans, for example; they're like an open supermarket this season. Due to injuries, the Pelicans have had a tough time, with a record of 5 wins and 22 losses, placing them at the bottom of the Western Conference. The Pelicans no longer trust their frontline combination of Zion and Ingram and have openly stated that they are open to trading these two core players. Additionally, the Heat might be looking to rebuild, as they have put their star player Butler on the trading block. Since leading the Heat to an unexpected Finals appearance last year, Butler's performance has lacked highlights, and with his age not on his side, the Heat are considering building a younger, more promising team. The Bulls are also eager to trade away LaVine and Vucevic, taking a longer-term view.
The Lakers are quite active in the trade market, eager to strengthen their team quickly. James and Davis, the two core players, are definitely not going anywhere, but other role players could be used as trade bait. In recent times, the Lakers have shown interest in several players, such as No. 1 pick Fultz, the Nets' Cameron Johnson and Finney-Smith, the Wizards' Kuzma, the Blazers' Simmons and Grant, etc. The Lakers' goal in recruitment is clear; they are looking for near All-Star level players to serve as the team's third core. Although the current Lakers lineup appears decent, it lacks depth, with no other core players besides James and Davis. It's quite a challenge to have Reeves as the team's third-in-command. Moreover, it's uncertain when the Lakers' two injured players, Vanderbilt and Wood, will return.
After the start of the new season, the Lakers' performance initially looked good, but then took a downturn, dropping from the top three in the West to tenth place. They need to make some changes to keep up. According to Lakers reporter Jovan Buha, the Lakers currently have four medium-salaried players: Hachimura, Vincent, Russell, and Vanderbilt. Only Hachimura is considered part of the Lakers' long-term plans, while the other three could be used as trade chips, with Russell being the most likely to be traded away. Bleacher Report proposed a trade between the Lakers and the Grizzlies, where the Lakers would send Russell, Hefino, and two future first-round picks to the Grizzlies in exchange for Marcus Smart, essentially a 4-for-1 trade. Farewell, Russell! This epic 4-for-1 trade plan could strengthen the Lakers' defense and push LeBron towards his fifth championship!
Why are the Lakers sending Russell away? The reason is quite clear; Russell can't make the team stronger and isn't a reliable scorer. Previously, the Lakers decided not to keep Westbrook and brought in Russell through a three-team trade. After Russell joined, he did stabilize the Lakers' record to some extent, and the team made it to the playoffs that year. In regular-season games with lower intensity and slower pace, Russell was somewhat useful. However, in high-intensity playoff games, his abilities were significantly reduced. As a guard, Russell lacks athleticism and is physically slight, making it difficult for him to break through the opponent's defense with drives, and he's even less effective on defense. This season, Russell's personal statistics have taken a comprehensive dive, averaging only 12.4 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 4.8 assists, with his shooting percentage dropping by 4 points and his three-point percentage by 8 points.
Russell's decline is somewhat related to the Lakers' environment. At the Lakers, it's usually James who organizes the offense, leaving Russell with few opportunities to handle the ball and sort things out. Without the ball, it's challenging for guards to find their rhythm, and Russell might be better suited for another team. Trading Russell away and bringing in Smart is an absolute win-win! Smart is an experienced defensive powerhouse who can fill the gap in the Lakers' defense. He's a valuable asset for championship-contending teams and can help the Lakers go all out for the title during the peak years of the James-Davis duo. Moreover, players like Smart play a more significant role in the playoffs, which is exactly what the Lakers need. This season, Smart averages 9.2 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 3.9 assists.
Back when he was with the Celtics, Smart was the soul of the Green Army, a spirited leader! Many times, the Lakers show a lack of enthusiasm during games; if the score widens or they get hit with a scoring run by the opponents, their confidence plummets, and the situation worsens. Smart is expected to prevent such situations from happening. Furthermore, after being traded from the Celtics to the Grizzlies, Smart hasn't seen much playing time. Why? Because the Grizzlies have ample defensive resources and need to cultivate younger, more promising backcourt players. For Smart, joining the Lakers could allow him to rediscover his value, as the Lakers are in dire need of a sturdy, defensively strong guard like Smart. What do you think of this trade? Is there a possibility that James could secure his fifth championship?
