The Lakers have no choice but to roll into the new NBA season with a squad that’s mostly staying the same, aiming to flip their script. They’ve made some tweaks, like locking in Max Christie and bringing JJ Redick on board as the new coach, but will these moves be enough to clinch that ultimate glory? Meanwhile, D’Angelo Russell’s spot on the team is up in the air after his rough shooting performance against the Nuggets in the playoffs.

Lakers insider Trevor Lane dishes out what could be next for D’Lo with the LA side. Lane points out that LeBron James and Anthony Davis are the top dogs, while D’Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves round out the crew. The real issue isn’t D’Lo or Austin themselves, but how their weaknesses overlap, causing issues on the court. They seem to click better when paired with a solid 3-and-D guard like Max Christie.

“Someone like that and that’s where it’s gonna be interesting to see if JJ Redick does some mixing in matching with Max Christie, with D’lo with Austin maybe with Gabe Vincent in the mix as well,” Trevor said on Laker Nation. So, it looks like D’Angelo Russell’s future with the Lakers hinges on how he gels with Max Christie and the ripple effect that has on the team.

Another huge question is who JJ Redick will decide to bench between Austin and D’Lo. Both are vital players right now, so JJ Redick’s choice will be a game-changer. Looking ahead, there’s a good chance D’Lo might not stick around long enough.

The Lakers might not want to lock him in the long-term either, and the current setup with him and Reaves doesn’t seem to hit its peak. With D’Lo’s contract up at the end of the season, he’s probably the one who’ll get moved to shake things up and make sure the team has enough firepower to stay competitive.

Who would make a better fit for the Lakers in the place of D’Angelo Russell?

When you stack up Dejounte Murray alongside D’Lo, it’s pretty clear Murray’s got some serious perks. He’s a steady scorer and can totally go off in a game. His mid-range game is on point, and teaming up with LeBron James might just boost his performance. Plus, he’s expected to be a solid upgrade on defense over Russell. Over the last three seasons, Murray averaged 6.2 rebounds, 1.6 steals, and 7.2 assists—numbers that majorly surpass what D’Angelo Russell averaged during the same period.

But on the lesser bright side, Murray’s defensive hype doesn’t always match his actual play, and he’s not exactly a clutch finisher. He’s been shaky from deep compared to D’Lo, can get lost on off-ball defense, and while he’s a decent passer, he’s not exactly wowing anyone there.

How can the Lakers make this work?

The Lakers had their sights set on trading for Dejounte Murray before the deadline, but only had one first-round pick to offer. With three picks on the table now, they’ve got a better shot at making it happen. Murray’s connections with Klutch Sports, and by extension LeBron James and Anthony Davis, could make this trade more likely.

For it to work, LeBron would need to share the ball-handling duties, giving Murray more control. Plus, Murray would need to get back to his defensive best from his Spurs days to make this deal worth it. We all know Murray was a much better defender when he played in SA, but his defense has declined over the years. If he does, it could be a game-changer for the Lakers; otherwise, it might just be a slight upgrade over D’Angelo Russell and the LA side needs a game-changer now to turn the tide.

But whatever happens, the Lakers need to shake things up and Dejounte Murray looks like their best available option for now. What are your thoughts?

Before you go, do not forget to check out this crossover between BG12 and Georgia Bulldogs star Asia Avinger