D'Angelo Russell is not happy with the Los Angeles Lakers' coach not giving him enough playing time, while Jahlil Okafor of the Philadelphia 76ers is not effective for the team with Nerlens Noel. Does this call for a trade?
NBA trade rumors involving the two have kept people talking. Russell, who is this year's number two pick, and Jahlil Okafor, the number 3 pick are said to be involved in a potential trade.
As reported by the China Topix, Chad Ford of the ESPN Insider said that "there might be a team or two out there where Okafor fits better" and that he is looking closely at the possibility of it being the Lakers. He also noted that "Russell has been a tough fit in L.A." and suggested a potential Russell-Okafor trade.
"The Lakers flipped from Okafor to Russell the night of the draft," said Ford. Then he added that that would be effectively a draft-night trade if the two teams would consider swapping the players.
Although Ford's suggestion will benefit both teams, it seems that the Lakers will not give up what they consider to be the next Kobe Bryant. The Philadelphia 76ers might not trade Okafor either since he is the best rookie so far in the season based on the statistics.
An SB Nation's article, pretending that Russell and Okafor have been swapped, says:
"Having Okafor setting up on the block would've helped the Lakers play inside-out more often, which would've then set up more open looks for those guards," it said. "Both Clarkson and Young are shooting brilliantly on catch-and-shoot three-pointers this season, so they'd be able to take advantage of all that attention on Okafor."
"With Russell on board, Brett Brown could've used the pace-and-space attack the team had last year as opposed to the slower group this year with Okafor. Philadelphia's offense was the worst in the league last year (it's even worse this year), but that was a function of a lack of talent to run the system. Turning over the keys of that system to a big-time prospect at point guard could've resulted in a more efficient group."
That being said, it seems the Los Angeles Lakers and the Philadelphia 76ers have both made mistakes during this year's NBA Draft.
