Lakers Confirm new forward signing for $45M on years Contract

A D’Angelo Russell 3-Team Trade to Help L.A. Lakers Retool, Sign Markelle Fultz

The Los Angeles Lakers have been idle throughout most of the offseason. The team hasn’t signed anyone to standard NBA contracts outside of drafting Dalton Knecht (No. 17) and Bronny James (No. 55).

With a full roster of 15 players and a payroll under the second apron ($188.9 million) by about $45,000, the Lakers have been stymied by the new rules of the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement.

The only way the team can add is to subtract. And the one player L.A. seems most willing to part with is guard D’Angelo Russell.

Meanwhile, the Charlotte Hornets have collected enough talented players that the goal shouldn’t be bottoming out completely but allowing players like LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, Mark Williams and rookie Tidjane Salaun (No. 6) to build winning habits.

Add the Utah Jazz to opportunistically facilitate a deal, and a multi-team trade could help all parties. The Lakers don’t add a third star, but they get necessary depth, including the means to sign free-agent guard Markelle Fultz.

The Hornets improve now and, along with the Jazz, add draft capital and an experienced point guard in Vasilije Micić.