The Lakers desperately needed shooting at the trade deadline, and they went out and got it by acquiring D’Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt in a three-team deal with the Utah Jazz and Minnesota Timberwolves.
Russell, who’s back with the team that drafted him second overall in 2015, could have the biggest impact.
This season, he has made himself into a much more efficient shooter, hitting 54.6% on two-point shots and 39.1% from the three-point line. Both would be career highs.
He is also a capable playmaker who doesn’t need the ball in his hands all the time. He averages 6.2 assists, slightly over his career average of 5.7.
