At the 2015 NBA Draft, the Los Angeles Lakers selected D'Angelo Russell with the second overall pick. The Ohio State product was viewed as Kobe Bryant's successor, but after just two seasons, he was traded to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Brook Lopez and Kyle Kuzma.

While there were heated debates about the trade, Brooklyn will provide Russell with a fresh start. In his young career, Russell has shown his scoring abilities but will need to improve the rest of his game. When asked about defense, Russell had the following to say according to Zach Lowe of ESPN:

“I wanted to play defense in L.A.,” Russell said, “but I felt like I had to score every chance I got for us to be relevant.”

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It is not an ideal answer from Russell, but it was not a stable environment for him in Los Angeles as well. During Russell's rookie season, it marked Kobe Bryant's farewell tour and he was in former head coach Byron Scott's doghouse. While he showed potential under head coach Luke Walton in his sophomore season, the Lakers acquired a former All-Star center, a stretch-four prospect, and cap space for next year's free agency.

With Russell no longer with the Lakers, all eyes are on Lonzo Ball, who was named the Las Vegas Summer League Most Valuable Player after averaging a near triple-double. Along with Brandon Ingram, President of Basketball Operations Magic Johnson and general manager Rob Pelinka believe there is a path to signing two superstars to surround their young core.