We're only days away from the NBA Draft and trade rumors along with a few pump fakes. However, we now have our first trade involving a player.
The Los Angeles Lakers have agreed to send point guard D'Angelo Russell to the Brooklyn Nets along with Timofey Mozgov in exchange for Nets big man Brook Lopez and their 27th overall draft pick. The deal allows the Lakers to clear themselves of $45 million in cap space, much of which was invested in Mozgov's four-year $64 million contract. It also increases their hopes of landing Paul George.
Russell averaged 15.8 points and 4.8 assists this past season and has shown signs of improvement, but will join a crowded back-court in Brooklyn with the likes of Jeremy Lin, Caris LeVert, Spencer Dinwiddie, Randy Foye, Isaiah Whitehead, and Archie Goodwin all fighting for minutes.