The Lakers gave up a 3-for-1 trade
NBA Marc Stein's latest report: As Russell gets better and better, the Lakers have withdrawn Russell's offer of + 2029 first-round pick + 1 first-round swap right and a 3-for-1 trade for Dejounte Murray. Lakers reporter Irwin adds: Trade talks between the Lakers and Hawks have reached an impasse, and the Lakers have taken the trade chips off the table.
Why did the Lakers withdraw the trade? Because Russell broke out! In the past eight games, Russell has averaged 27.5 points, 2.4 rebounds and 6.4 assists per game, shooting 52.3 percent from the field and 54.2 percent from three-point range. Russell played with the stats and efficiency of a quasi-All-Star guard, and the Lakers had to take 1.5 first-round picks to trade for Murray, so Pelinka regretted it.
Why do you say that Russell is stinky and fragrant? In the second overtime of the Lakers' battle, Russell made 2 consecutive mistakes, and the fans were just about to spray, and Russell scored a big heart three-pointer, making the fans shut up. Russell played 49 minutes in this game, scoring 28 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, 1 block and 4 turnovers on 8-of-19 shooting, with a plus/minus of +12, and scored 19 points in the final quarter and overtime.
Speaking about the three-pointer after the game, Russell said: "I know I just made a mistake, but I can't lose confidence. Once there is an opening, I have to shoot an extra three points. Lakers coach Darvin Ham said after the game: "You know, that's his character, Russell is very confident, and that's why we like him. ”
Lakers reporter Jovan Buha said: The Lakers feel that trading Russell for Brogdon of the Trail Blazers, Tyus Jones of the Wizards or Dinwiddie of the Nets will not improve the team, and at best it will be a tie trade or even a relegation trade. The only thing that tempted the Lakers was Dejounte Murray, but the Hawks' asking price was too high.
The Hawks wanted two first-round picks and didn't want to take Russell's contract and were looking for a third-party team, which led to the deal not going through. With Russell's offensive form soaring, the Lakers are now willing to forgo the trade. The Lakers are confident that they can get the players they want in the buyout market, and they don't want to pay too much for a trade.
So far this season, Russell has played in 43 games for the Lakers, starting 36 of them. He averaged 17.1 points, 2.7 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.6 blocks in 30.5 minutes per game while shooting 48%, 42.9% and 79.4% from three. Russell's shooting and three-point shooting percentages this season are career highs.
Russell's true shooting percentage is 60%, 101st in the league, and +2.3 plus/minus per game, 70th in the league. Russell's biggest problem is defense, as he ranks 120th in the league in defensive efficiency this season and ranks 195th in the league in assists per game. Russell's contract is $36 million for two years, $17.31 million this season and $18.69 million next season.
If Russell is both offensive and defensive, his annual salary will not only be 17 million, but at least 27 million! Although Russell said that he does not care about rumors. But his outburst in the last 8 games must have something to do with these trading news. Murray is averaging 21.4 points, 5 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.3 steals per game this season while shooting 46.8%, 38.8% and 83% from three.
Murray's defense is definitely stronger than Russell's, but whether he can match James Mei is still a question. Final question: Do you think the Lakers should trade Russell + a first-round pick for Murray?