Grading the blockbuster: Lakers have hope; Jazz, Wolves make out well. Trade grades on the latest NBA deal are in. More:
AdvertisementSo what does this mean for everybody involved? How do we grade out each team in this D-Lo reunion with the Lakers? Let’s grab the red pen and start grading!For anybody hoping to see the promising point guard from his first go-around with the Lakers or the Russell who made an All-Star Game in Brooklyn, I wouldn’t get my hopes up. Russell has been brutal for the Wolves this season as he tries to capitalize on a contract year.
His individual numbers look fine at first glance. He’s averaging nearly 18 points and 6.0 assists per game. His turnovers are under 3.0 per game, and it’s by far the most efficient shooting season of his career with his first foray into 60 percent true shooting or better. On the court, however, the Wolves have been a losing team with him and a winning team without him. They’ve been outscored by 1.3 points per 100 possessions when he plays, and they outscore opponents by 4.
Not all of that is Russell’s fault, but he’s beyond a negative defensive option. Would that all translate to the same effect if he’s moved to the Lakers? Possibly not. They don’t need him to be a primary point guard withon the floor, but he was not always the primary point guard with Minnesota. The Wolves run their offense through a bunch of different guys.
As for the other parts of this trade, this is where I think the actual upgrade happens. Vanderbilt is exactly the defensive role player the Lakers need. He helped pull the defense together for the Wolves last season, and he’s a pretty good rebounder and can keep possessions alive on offense. He can switch one through four pretty seamlessly, and he doesn’t try to do too much with the ball. Beasley hasn’t shot the ball well by his standards this season, but we know it’s in there.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Nathan Chasing Horse: Dances With Wolves actor charged with sexual abuse of young girlsThe 46-year-old actor, best known for his role as the young Sioux tribe member Smiles A Lot in the 1990 Kevin Costner film, was charged on Monday.
Read more »
Lakers-Thunder among most viewed games in yearsLeBron's big night turned into TNT's big night. The Lakers-Thunder game averaged three million viewers, the network’s most-viewed NBA regular season telecast since 2018.
Read more »
Up close with LeBron James and the Lakers as he prepares to pass Kareem to become NBA's scoring kingSeveral people close to LeBron James described the Jan. 28 loss in Boston as the worst for him mentally since the Cavaliers lost Game 1 of the 2018 NBA Finals to the Warriors. You remember that game, joevardon writes.
Read more »
Not accounting for Man City's charges, Pep Guardiola should go. Jurgen Klopp too...There are calls for Pep Guardiola to step aside at Man City, while Stewie urges Liverpool not to make the same mistake as Arsenal. Also: mails on Spurs, Salah, Wolves, and Everton...
Read more »
LeBron goes for Kareem's recordLakers star LeBron James enters Tuesday's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder just 36 points away from breaking Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's career scoring record. Follow here as The Athletic's staff documents James' pursuit of NBA history with stories, analysis, highlights and more.How to watchTime: 10 p.m. ETChannel: TNT(Photo: Getty Images)
Read more »