Lakers Trade Grades For D’Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley, And Jarred Vanderbilt

The Lakers have traded Russell Westbrook to acquire D'Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley, and Jarred Vanderbilt in a 3-team trade.

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Credit: Fadeaway World

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.

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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Ishaan Bhattacharya is a content manager for Fadeaway World from New Delhi, India. With his expertise in NBA content creation, Ishaan brings a wealth of experience to his role, contributing to the site's authority and reach within the basketball community. Over the last year, Ishaan has interviewed Ray Allen and Mark Tatum, while also covering the 2023 NBA Abu Dhabi Games which saw the Dallas Mavericks take on the Minnesota Timberwolves.Since joining Fadeaway World in March 2022, Ishaan Bhattacharya has become known for his unique perspective on the NBA. He consistently delivers this insight through his daily news coverage and detailed opinion pieces on the most significant topics in the league.Before his tenure at Fadeaway World, Ishaan worked in corporate communications, where he serviced prominent sports brands, including NBA India, Sports18, Amazon Prime Sports, and Royal Challengers Bangalore. This experience in strategic communications for leading sports entities has enhanced his ability to craft impactful narratives and connect with a global audience.A true MFFLer (Mavs Fan for Life, for the uninitiated), Ishaan is a massive fan of the Dallas Mavericks. When he is not upset about Jalen Brunson walking in free agency, you can see Ishaan as an avid gamer and content creator. His passion for basketball extends beyond the Mavericks, as evidenced by his thoughtfully curated NBA Mount Rushmore, featuring LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Bill Russell—each representing distinct eras and bringing their unique qualities to the game.Featured On: ESPN, Sports Illustrated, Bleacher ReportYahoo Sports, NBA, Fox Sports, The Spun
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