nyknickzingis wrote:I can't see the Lakers trade Russell for 8.
One of the LA reporters is denying the story.

If they are willing to deal Russell for 8, I would do it.

Willy/KP/Russell is a great young core that will share the ball and play the right way on offense. Would make this deal. D'Angelo has issuees like most young players but he's the opposite of Rose. Doesn't force anything especially on drives. Always keeps his head up looking for an open teammate. Pretty good outside shooter. I love that kid for us. The problem in LA for him from what I can tell is that they expected him to be James Harden or Steph Curry and he's not that good, but he's still a very valuable player especially as a second or third option without pressure of having to be the main man. Here he'd be coming to KP's team and KP would have the pressure to be the man and leader. Expectations on Russell have been way too high in LA. On the Knicks those expectations and pressures will fall on KP.

I'd do this without any hesitation.

Chandler wrote:my biggest concerns are his maturity and judgment

Id pass.

SkyWalker wrote:tough call here. I haven't watched enough of D Russell. Is his defense awful or can he at least be average defensively? LA must be drafting Ball and don't think the 2 mix well together.

You would think that given Ball and Russell would compliment each other well. But the concern on the Lakers part is Russell is slow and can't keep up with PGs and Ball definitely won't be able to keep up with small PGs. The reason Russell is on the out is because he is slow footed and his height with out his stilts on is a detriment. Not a pg and not a Sg. Why would the Knicks want a defensive liability. Smith, Nitlikina and Monk already bring more to the table. They are fast and can keep up with opposing PGs.

EnySpree wrote:Dangelo Russell is everything i hate about this generation. He's got alot of living to do. KP strikes me as the same kind of kid now especially how his Brothers are handling him.

Anyway, the potential for us to have two 20pt scorers under 25 years old would be very high if we got Russell. Keep in mind that Phil is actively trying to get another 1st round pick.

I don't think Frenchy is going to be a better player than Russell. I don't think Monk will either. Unless Isaac or Tatum fall, we would be better off with Russell.

Basically nobody here wants Russell cuz some how if Lakers don't want him, he not good enough for us now? Knick fans no patience, we'd have done this with Steph Curry after two years. Bad Ankle and all.
What I don't know is what Gaines/Phil thought of Russell two years ago, and after watching his tape.
Tell me if some of you would not have traded our 2017 pick two years ago to take him?

fishmike wrote:

Ira wrote:If the guy could play a lick of defense, I'd consider it. But not the way he plays now. He hasn't improved much defensively in his second year.

He's played for 2 years at age 19/20. He was only 18 when drafted and 17 in college. How many kids that age would you say are good at defending at the NBA level? How much defense was James Harden or Steph Curry playing their first 2 years? You have to keep this in context.

That being said I don't scout Laker games.

Wonder if Harden was actually a better defender as a young player?

VCoug wrote:Hell no, not with the 8th. Russell's been lousy his first two seasons and I'd much rather take a chance on whoever's available at 8, even Monk. If we can get a later pick or two, like from Portland, I'd be willing to trade but not ours.

I dunno about lousy. He would be our best perimeter player if he was here.