Talk about wasting a lottery pick. It seems like the front office personnel in Tinseltown are ready to throw up the white flag on the 2015 NBA Draft’s 2nd overall pick, D’Angelo Russell.
With the NBA trade deadline just three weeks away, the LA Lakers are deciding to place their starting rookie point guard Russell on the trading block. Halfway through his first professional season, Russell is averaging a solid 12.2 points per game in 27 minutes. Those numbers are fourth best amongst rookies in scoring, behind Jahlil Okafor, Karl-Anthony Towns and Kristaps Porzingis. Some critics are saying the 19-year-old former Ohio State Buckeye great has been complaining about minutes being offered to him by head coach Byron Scott. Others are stating he has been underachieving as a second overall pick for the Lakers as many experts dubbed him as the next superstar to step into the spotlight once Kobe Bryant officially retires.
In taking to people around the league on who has been made available in trade talks a very surprising name has come up: DeAngelo Russell
— Brian Geltzeiler (@hoopscritic) January 28, 2016
In a simple yet nonchalant response to the rumor, this is what D’Angelo tweeted once word got out he will be on the trading block.
? — D’Angelo Russell (@Dloading) January 28, 2016
There are rumors the struggling Philadelphia 76ers are interested in dealing for Russell. It will be interesting to see if the 76ers will try their hand and welcome “D Loading” to the City of Brotherly Love. With the impressive front court play of Nerlens Noel and their third overall pick Jahlil Okafor, adding a flashy playmaking, scoring guard such as Russell to an already youthful roster should bring excitement to Philly. Despite having the worst record in the league, 76ers are two solid veterans away from being a squad playoff contending teams should not take lightly.
