Los Angeles Lakers 'Aren't Shopping' D'Angelo Russell; Why Dallas Mavs' Kyrie Irving Trade Rumors Should Be Dead
On Dec. 15, several players around the NBA who were signed to new contracts during the offseason will be eligible to be traded. That, plus the fact that we're about two months away from the trade deadline, means that trade rumors and speculation are about to be turned up a notch or two.
Ahead of Tuesday night's matchup between the Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers, a report from HoopsWire.com's Sam Amico states that the Lakers "aren't actively shopping" point guard D'Angelo Russell, who has been linked to the Mavs in trade rumors in the past.
"Russell is having a nice season, though, and the Lakers aren’t actively shopping him, sources told Hoops Wire," Sam Amico wrote. "Quite the opposite. But they would in the right deal, or at least would be more likely to move Russell than some others. And they just may have to if they want a third consistent scorer in return."
USA TODAY Sports
Although the Kyrie Irving-to-Lakers rumors should be completely dead at this point, would it really shock any of us if they end up resurfacing between now and the trade deadline? No matter how well the Mavs or Lakers are doing, it seems inevitable, but for now, both sides have legitimate reason to be content with what they currently have.
Russell, who will turn 28 years old this season, is averaging 16.6 points, 3.3 rebounds and 6.3 assists while shooting career-highs of 48.3 percent overall and 40.5 percent from deep in 23 games. He helped the Lakers secure the NBA's first-ever In-Season Tournament championship over the weekend.
The Mavs are obviously happy with Irving, and Irving is happy with his situation in Dallas. If that wasn't the case, the two sides wouldn't have agreed on a three-year, $126 million contract over the summer. The star guard is averaging 23 points, 3.9 rebounds and 5.2 assists while shooting 47.1 percent overall and 38.4 percent from deep, and we know what kind of impact he can have in the playoffs alongside Luka Doncic when/if the Mavs return to postseason action this season.
Dallas is currently 14-8 and third in the West, and the Lakers are 14-9 and sixth in the West going into tonight's matchup. Irving is out with a heel contusion, but it should be a fun potential playoff preview regardless. If the Lakers lose tonight, though, or if Russell hits a rough patch, watch out for those baseless rumors that aim to get Irving to L.A. for next to nothing.
