The Los Angeles Lakers’ first few games under head coach JJ Redick showed plenty of reasons for fans to be optimistic. While he’s a strong head coach, there’s only so much he can do with a roster that doesn’t have the tools needed to win games consistently.

Having LeBron James and Anthony Davis, it’s hard not to build a playoff-level team, but taking that roster to the next level — championship-level — is a tad more difficult. It’s been made clear early in Redick’s tenure with the club that some roster tweaks will need to be made.

One player, in particular, that has been under the spotlight is D’Angelo Russell. Russell’s flaws have shown recently, and Redick made the decision to move the Lakers guard to the bench. “I left all my baggage at the door [when the Lakers fired Darvin Ham],” Russell said after being benched.

“I’m egoless.

I just want to win.” Los Angeles Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell. © Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images © Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images However, being of good character along doesn’t merit the Lakers needing to keep him on the squad, especially if they can improve their roster.

According to Jake Fischer, Russell could be a player on the move via trade as the Lakers are “eyeing” two big men targets. Fischer reports that Russell will be used as an “outgoing” salary as the club has both Brook Lopez and Jonas Valanciunas listed on their “internal board” of targets.

REPORT: Jonas Valanciunas and Brook Lopez are two targets on the Lakers “internal board”, per @JakeLFischer.

D’Angelo Russell is expected to be available as “outgoing salary”. pic.twitter.com/6NwNXh4g1o — Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) November 9, 2024 Bringing in a big man seems ideal as Redick has made Davis a focal point of the team with his arrival as the head coach.

Again, there is no time to waste for Redick and the Lakers — as both James and Davis are older players in the league. Moving on from someone like Russell, who isn’t helping the team win, in favor of a big man could be the right move.