The Lakers reported that they are still open to trade their future first round picks but they want long term returns. We are referring to their 2027 and 2029 future first round draft picks. The Lakers are giving a sign that they want a young high potential player that can carry the team when Bron and Davis are gone or old. No wonder all their previous talks to unload Russ and acquire any players from Kyrie, Clarkson, Hield, Turner and Bogdanovich ended in failures.
Does the Lakers 2027, 2029 first round drafts and Russ' $47 million payrate enough to acquire a young star potential like Mitchell?
Well that's why they are future picks, because we don't know if they are going to be a great player in the NBA. But it's risk that any team are willing to take though or maybe they have scouting teams as well looking for the next prospect in high school that will be the potential picks. So we will see, Russ is still a big problem in their shoulder right now, but they can't do anything about that huge contract and they might be willing to let Russ play this season.
I think it will be better if the Lakers start looking for players who are young instead of players who are already 30 years old. They need to think about the future a lot more. And I think this is the time when the scouts should come forward with their finds. This might be an unpopular opinion but I think the players that the Lakers have in mind as future picks, might not do very well. It is a risk even if the team is willing to take it.
I also think that they will let Russ play this season. They cannot offload him. I think the only solution is to try to get the best out of him
Lakers really have to look for future in my opinion too. Their young players are not so promising and it is doubtful how old star players will perform. I love Lebron a lot and respect him hugely but it is not certain that he can play as maximum performed Lebron for a long time. We can already see the old age taking its toll. Russ is also almost 34 years old and we know he is not how he used to be. Anthony Davis is 29 years old and I like his potential but I don't think he is a player that you can build your team around. Lakers obviously will have rebuild in couple of years but they are already losing time. They should start to think about future now. They should indeed look for young and promising players instead of thirty years old questionable ones.