Lakers Rumors: D'Angelo Russell Trade Talk, Maurice Harkless Buzz and More

The Los Angeles Lakers are facing a long road back to the NBA mountaintop, but a light is starting to appear at the end of the tunnel in terms of getting back into the playoffs. Drafting Brandon Ingram was a major step in that direction.

There are still some decisions for the front office to make this summer, though, both in terms of how aggressively to attack the trade market with the first wave of free agency complete and what type of depth players would best fit the system of new head coach Luke Walton.

With that in mind, let's check out some of the buzz surrounding the team over the past few weeks and analyze what it could mean moving forward.

D'Angelo Russell Not Focused on Trade Talk

Russell enjoyed a solid rookie campaign. He averaged 13.2 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.3 assists while shooting 35 percent from three-point range. Last year's second overall pick must still become more comfortable finishing around the rim and leading the offense, but there are promising signs.

The Ohio State product is already becoming no stranger to the rumor mill, however. The most recent example came courtesy of ESPN.com's Marc Stein late last month when he noted the Sacramento Kings were showing interest in the point guard:

Yet Russell explained to Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News that general manager Mitch Kupchak urged him to ignore the outside noise: "You hear trade talks. Then you get a text from your GM saying he trusts your work ethic and don't worry about it."

It's worth noting the 20-year-old rising star could see his trade value increase during the course of the offseason, though. It's been a weak market in terms of the available point guards, which could get more teams to explore a trade with the Lakers as the dust begins to settle.

Although it's unclear what Los Angeles would seek in return, the one thing it lacks right now is the bona fide franchise cornerstone. Ingram could eventually reach that level, but if Russell could become part of a package to get an already established superstar, it wouldn't be a surprise to see him moved.

Lakers Among Several Tracking Maurice Harkless

While Harkless' numbers last season weren't much to write home about, he did improve after the All-Star break, checking in at 8.5 points and 4.5 rebounds in just under 22 minutes per contest. It could earn him a more defined role next fall with either the Portland Trail Blazers or another organization.

The restricted free agent currently holds a qualifying offer of a little over $4 million for the 2016-17 season, according to Spotrac. He could improve on that figure, however, with Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders reporting there have been quite a few teams considering him:

Ultimately, a change of scenery would probably be best for Harkless' long-term value. The Blazers already feature a pretty deep group of forwards, which means his role would likely remain quite sporadic if he stays put for another year.

The Lakers could offer him a more extensive role for next season and potentially beyond depending on his progress. The cost is obviously a key factor, but if Los Angeles can get him at a reasonable price, it's a chance worth taking based on the way he finished last season.

Mindaugas Kuzminskas Update

Kuzminskas has built an impressive resume overseas, including four Lithuanian Basketball League All-Star Game selections and two championships. Now, at age 26, he's deciding whether it's time to take his talents to the NBA.

Although there isn't a definitive timetable for his decision, it sounds like he's getting closer after doing some NBA workouts. David Pick of Basketball Insiders provided some further information about the situation and the Lakers' connection:

Kuzminskas is still a work in progress. He's a capable small forward, but it wouldn't be a surprise to see him transition to the role of stretch 4 if he did come over to the U.S. His three-point shot has improved, connecting on 38 percent of his attempts in the Euroleague last season.

It's a situation where the Lakers make a lot of sense. They wouldn't need him to make an instant impact and could instead focus on his development while they continue building the roster. If all goes well, he could be a valuable bench piece when L.A. is ready to make a playoff push.