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The Los Angeles Lakers have reportedly scheduled a meeting with soon-to-be restricted free agent D'Angelo Russell of the Brooklyn Nets, according to Fred Roggin of NBC Los Angeles. The organization is also hoping to secure meetings with a “lights out shooter” and a defensive specialist in the coming days.
This is meeting with Russell is coming nearly at the two-year anniversary of his trade to Brooklyn alongside Timofey Mozgov for Brook Lopez.
The Lakers' interest in Russell has quickly bloomed from merely exploratory to a real possibility, only a couple of years after former president Magic Johnson deemed him not fit to lead a young core.
Much has changed since D-Lo departed for Brooklyn. The Lakers put themselves in prime position to acquire LeBron James, failed to get him a partner in his first season, and the Nets made the playoffs as the sixth seed, with Russell returning as a first-time All-Star averaging over 20 points and seven assists per game.
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Russell has blossomed into what the Lakers aspired him to be, yet he's done so under the embrace of coach Kenny Atkinson and general manager Sean Marks, two people very fit to develop young talent.
The Lakers are hellbent in pursuing a point guard after former starter Lonzo Ball was dealt to New Orleans, making him the third No. 2 overall selection that has been dealt by the organization, along with Brandon Ingram and Russell.
Should Los Angeles strike out for a top target like Kemba Walker or Kyrie Irving, Russell would make a solid consolation prize, and one the purple and gold would welcome back with open arms after trading him in 2017.
Worthy of noting — the Lakers can't officially secure a meeting with a player until a full calendar day before he becomes a free agent (June 29 at 6 p.m. ET).
