The Los Angeles Lakers have acquired D’Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley, and Jarred Vanderbilt in a 3-team trade.
The trade has sent Russell Westbrook and a protected 2027 first-round pick to the Utah Jazz and also involved the Minnesota Timberwolves, who received Mike Conley and second-round draft compensation.
All 3 players can have a major impact on the Lakers and address team needs in every position on the court.
Breaking: The Lakers are finalizing deal to land D’Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt.
The Jazz will send Mike Conley and picks to the Timberwolves, while Russell Westbrook and a lightly protected 2027 LA first-round pick head to the Jazz, sources tell @wojespn. pic.twitter.com/Fav40iF5pI
— ESPN (@espn) February 9, 2023
How impactful will these moves end up being? Can Russell rediscover his All-Star self playing next to LeBron James, or can Jarred Vanderbilt continue his progression in the NBA and become a star frontcourt player? Let’s discuss the same.
Malik Beasley: B+
Malik Beasley finally addresses a need that the Lakers have had for years and adds shooting on the floor. Beasley has shot 39.6% from beyond the arc this season on 8.6 attempts a game. This kind of high-volume proficiency from 3 is exactly what the Lakers needed to add.
Playing with LeBron James ensures one thing and that is quality shots for people on the 3-point line. The Lakers have had inconsistent shooters for 2 seasons now and Beasley will seek to be the spark the team needs this season. Due to his accuracy from 3, defenders as compared to players leaving Russell Westbrook open in those situations. Beasley is averaging 13.4 points and 3.6 rebounds this season.
His defensive impact won’t be profound, and that is still something LA needs on their wing. But all in all, this acquisition is a solid one and one that the Lakers desperately needed.
Jarred Vanderbilt: B
When it comes to defense, Jarred Vanderbilt will provide exactly what the Lakers need in the frontcourt. In lineups with Anthony Davis, this could be a dominant defensive frontcourt pairing. Out of the 3 players they have received, Vanderbilt may have the most value over time and still has room for development.
Personally, Vanderbilt may be my favorite player that the Lakers have acquired in this deal. However, he is objectively the player that needs to improve the most out of the 3 in terms of what he provides to LA. His defensive prowess even on the perimeter is much required but he isn’t a shot blocker. Lineups without AD will still struggle in protecting the rim.
Vanderbilt needs to develop offensively but has enough weapons around him to be a defensive star. But those benefits may be better reaped over time. He is averaging 8.3 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 2.7 assists this season.
D’Angelo Russell: A-
Even if Russell Westbrook’s production and consistency were an issue, there was no doubt that his ability as a creator could disrupt defenses. The Lakers have lost that ability but might have upgraded in a different way. D’Angelo Russell is prone to some poor IQ mistakes like Russ but has a game that leans into his jump-shooting ability, instead of Russ relying on jump-shooting without proving he can be a consistent jump shooter.
After a tough start to the season, Russell has turned a corner and was playing well for the Wolves. Given his long-term concerns and the Wolves requiring a more stable floor general like Mike Conley, it made sense for them to give Russell to the Lakers. No matter who the point guard is, the floor general on the squad is LeBron James. D’Angelo is an offensive point guard that complements LeBron’s skill-set and could play really well off him. Russell is averaging 17.9 points, 6.2 assists, and 3.1 rebounds this season.
The defense won’t be good and that should be a major concern. However, his offensive gravity can take a lot of pressure off LeBron, something that is desperately needed if the Lakers want to make a playoff run. It also allows them to have someone to re-sign as a starting point guard in the summer if Kyrie Irving decides Dallas is his long-term home.
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