- This mock trade moves D’Angelo Russell to the Boston Celtics and Derrick White to the Los Angeles Lakers
- Derrick White gives the Los Angeles Lakers a more defensive-minded guard
- D’Angelo Russell adds an elite playmaker to the Boston Celtics roster
The Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics are both teams that are looking to compete next season. The two squads each have a roster that can contend, and each team only needs a few tweaks to help them truly become championship-level. Sometimes, all it takes for a team to reach the next level is a small change.
Perhaps a trade between the two squads could be mutually beneficial in their respective pursuits of an NBA championship. This proposed trade sends Derrick White to the Los Angeles Lakers and D’Angelo Russell to the Boston Celtics. The Celtics also get some minor draft compensation in this scenario.
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Derrick White
Boston Celtics Receive: D’Angelo Russell, 2025 Second-Round Pick (LAL), 2027 Second-Round Pick (LAL), 2030 Second-Round Pick (LAL)
This trade could potentially provide each franchise with better-fitting players. Even though Derrick White and D’Angelo Russell are players in a similar tier, sometimes there is merit in making a trade for fit. Here is why this could be a smart trade for both franchises.
Los Angeles Lakers Receive An Elite 3 And D Guard
The reason that the Los Angeles Lakers will eventually need to trade D’Angelo Russell is due to the fact that they have a lot of players that can run the offense already. Austin Reaves and LeBron James can both play the primary ball-handler role, and the team also added Gabe Vincent in free agency. It is clear that D’Angelo Russell is the odd man out. Russell’s contract is also structured in a way that is conducive to a trade: he has an $18 million player option for the 2024-25 season and could become a free agent in 2024.
This deal would get the Los Angeles Lakers Derrick White, who is considered to be an elite 3 and D guard. White averaged 12.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game for the Celtics last season while shooting a solid 38.1% from 3PT range. He could definitely be a solid player on the bench unit and is a much better defender than Russell, as well. White is a player that fits better in Darvin Ham’s system than D’Angelo Russell due to his activity on defense and he doesn’t necessarily need the ball to make an impact. He is the perfect role player for a LeBron James-led team.
The Los Angeles Lakers would have to attach draft compensation to D’Angelo Russell’s contract due to the fact that White is on a two-year deal and is a slightly better player. The cost of the upgrade is absolutely worth it, as moving Russell means the Lakers would be getting rid of one of the few defensive liabilities on the roster.
There is no doubt that Derrick White can be a difference-maker for the Los Angeles Lakers. If the opportunity to get him presents itself, the Lakers should definitely consider offering a D’Angelo Russell-based package.
The Boston Celtics Get A True Floor General
Though D’Angelo Russell does have his defensive issues, he is clearly a gifted offensive player who can provide a positive impact on that end of the floor. One of the things that D’Angelo Russell is better at than both Malcolm Brogdon and Derrick White is facilitating: he is capable of running an offense and making plays for other scorers on the roster. The lack of a true point guard has definitely been an issue for the Celtics in recent years, and Russell could definitely help them there.
This past season, D’Angelo Russell averaged 17.8 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 6.2 assists per game for the Boston Celtics while shooting 39.6% from 3PT range. He is clearly an effective complementary player, and though he can be ball-dominant, Russell’s presence can also make things easier for Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Kristaps Porzingis. He is also a decent shooter, and Russell is certainly the sort of player who can take advantage of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown’s scoring gravity.
The Boston Celtics would also get multiple second-round picks in this deal, to reflect the fact that they’d be giving away the better player. Though losing White and adding Russell will clearly make them worse defensively, they will improve offensively which is worth the trade-off. D’Angelo Russell can be a smart play for the Boston Celtics, and his addition comes with a high upside for the squad.
This Could Be A Win-Win Deal For Both Teams
With this trade, the Los Angeles Lakers would be leaning into their defensive identity, which has been fostered under coach Darvin Ham. Size, defense, and physicality is how the Lakers got to the Western Conference Finals in the 2023 playoffs. Derrick White would be a good addition for their culture, and he has shown to rise in the playoffs.
Meanwhile, the Boston Celtics would get D’Angelo Russell, who will help them as a connector piece on the offensive end. He can be the piece that pushes them over the top. The Celtics have consistently been an elite defensive team over the last few years: they have the infrastructure on that end to cover for D’Angelo Russell’s weaknesses. Ultimately, D’Angelo Russell is a play that increases the team’s overall ceiling.
There is an argument to be made that both teams come out with a win in this trade scenario. The key is obviously fit and cohesion for both sides, rather than pure talent. As of right now, there has been no indication that a deal with this framework is in the works, but it is definitely a scenario that should be considered by both sides.
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