What it could take the Pistons to trade for D’Angelo Russell

The Los Angeles Lakers are rumored to be seeking a top-12 draft pick, possibly for D’Angelo Russell. Conveniently, the Detroit Pistons have the 12th pick.

Early Monday Sam Amico of Amico Sports tweeted that the Los Angeles Lakers were looking to add another first round draft pick to their current stock pile of the second and 28th overall picks, and that they may have been in contact with the Detroit Pistons about their 12th pick.

On AmicoHoops: #Lakers reportedly hope to acquire another first-rounder, may have already connected with #Pistons. https://t.co/fJPZfbSh34
— Sam Amico (@AmicoHoops) June 19, 2017

As the day went on, the rumors crystalized slightly via a tweet from Chad Ford. In the wake of their desire for either Duke’s Luke Kennard or Gonzaga’s Zach Collins, it appears the Lakers had refined their search to the top 12 picks. Conveniently enough, the Pistons qualify.

Sounds like Lakers are dangling D’Angelo Russell in effort to get another Top 12 pick. Luke Kennard & Zach Collins appear to be targets https://t.co/2NPeEKX4SM
— NBA Big Board (@chadfordinsider) June 20, 2017

Needless to say, D’Angelo Russell–who just turned 21 in February–is a better value than a mid-first round pick where the talent drops off after the top 10. While this should be well-established, there’s no reason to think Magic Johnson knows that or cares at this point.

He struggled over the first half of the season, but post-All Star break, he scored 18.5 points per game, shooting 42.5 percent from the floor and 35.6 percent from long range. Russell has a reputation for immaturity, but again, he’s 21.

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So, let’s assume that the Pistons can get Russell for the 12th draft pick and whatever salary it takes to match for cap purposes. Russell makes $5.562 million this season, which means that Ish Smith‘s $6 million, Boban Marjanovic‘s $7 million or Aron Baynes‘ (who will decide on his player option Tuesday, possibly rendering his inclusion here moot) $6.5 million contracts would all work financially.

The Pistons would also likely request the Lakers’ 28th overall draft pick in return. The 28th pick will make $1.4 million this season, more than $1 million less than the 12th overall pick would make. This means the Pistons could actually save a couple million dollars this season while getting a young talent that would slot significantly higher (even in this draft) than 12.

As for financial concerns for future season, Russell has a team option worth $7 million next season, so if the Pistons decide to move on from him for some reason, they have the option of doing so without paying him anything past the end of this season.

Depending on how the Pistons valued Russell against Reggie Jackson, Ish Smith could become expendable if the Pistons made this move. It’s possible the Pistons could go this route if they decide Jackson will not be fit to lead the team this season and decide to start Russell.

However, if Baynes opts into his player option either he or Marjanovic would become expendable as well. That would also give the Pistons more time to figure out how they want to handle the point guard hierarchy.