I mean, a lot of that would be contingent on where the pick lands, right? If you end up with Ben Simmons, you probably would rather just keep him. But if it ends up 4-6 a case can certainly be made that Russell will be better than both picks combined. Just depends how the draft shakes out and who is available.
Russell will be a stud, though. Said for a while that I'd gladly gamble on him over Marcus Smart. He's picking up steam right now.
Here's what I said in the other thread:
His stats for the season of 13 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.1 steals with 42% shooting an 36% from three in just 27.7mpg are pretty solid for a 20 year old rookie PG. Marcus Smart is in his second year averaging 9.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3 assists, 1.7 steals with 35% shooting and 27% from the line and most of us still expect him to be a very good player long term.
They inserted Russell back into the starting lineup 8 games ago and while he had one dud game, he's been pretty sensational recently.
2/24 - 22 points, 8 assists, 4 rebounds 42%/33%/75% ...
2/26 - 22 points, 3 assists, 3 rebounds, 67%/100%/67% ...
3/1 - 39 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal 67%/67%/60% ...
3/2 - 24 points, 6 assists, 1 rebound 1 steal 43%/33%/60% ...
then today - 21 points, 5 asissts, 3 rebounds, 4 steals, 43%/43%/100%
He's getting into a grove, which is what you should expect from a #2 pick believed to have superstar potential during the second half of their rookie year. Long-term, he looks like he'll be a star.
Not sure I buy the idea that the Lakers would move him. He's the most exciting part of that franchise right now... I feel like the "trade D'Angelo" movement is an old narrative from when he didn't immediately show up as a 20 year old superstar. Good luck prying him away now. The kid clearly has game. His start mirrors Andrew Wiggins. Wiggins struggled out of the gate and picked up steam over the second half. I can't imagine the WOlves giving up Wiggins for a #4-6 pick in this draft + a future 1st. That'd be pretty dumb. Actually, D'Angelo's first half rookie numbers might actually be better than Wiggin's first half rookie numbers last season. And just like Wiggins, D'Angelo is showing improvement over the second half. 18.8 points, 4.8 assists, 3 rebounds with 47%/47%/69% shooting since the all-star break.