NBA Draft 2015: All the Social Buzz Surrounding D'Angelo Russell

Kobe Bryant is likely to be playing alongside a new point guard, as Twitter speculation suggests the Los Angeles Lakers are leaning toward selecting D’Angelo Russell second overall Thursday in the 2015 NBA draft. 

According to Bleacher Report’s Kevin Ding, one of the business’ top Lakers insiders, the team is starting to believe Russell is a future star with Stephen Curry-like ability: 

Per Mike Trudell of Time Warner Cable Sports, the Lakers hosted Russell for another workout Saturday, where he must have really impressed to jump over highly touted big man Jahlil Okafor: 

However, the Los Angeles Times believes the Lakers will take Okafor: 

As of last week, Russell was still in contention to be taken first overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves, according to ESPN’s Chad Ford: 

It is becoming more likely that honor will belong to Karl-Anthony Towns. 

Many mock drafts seem to validate Ding’s report. NJ.com’s Matt Lombardo, a Philadelphia 76ers reporter, does not believe Russell will be available at third overall: 

The only scenario that could derail Russell becoming a Laker involves the team trading for Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins. The disgruntled star seems to want out, and Los Angeles has expressed considerable interest in such a deal, per Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski: 

According to Wojnarowski, a deal would include the second pick and promising young players Jordan Clarkson and Julius Randle. A trade would also likely include a third team, possibly the Orlando Magic. 

If such a trade occurs and the Kings choose to pass on Russell, he would likely not drop out of the top three. DraftExpress.com’s Jonathan Givony believes the 76ers would select the former Ohio State star: 

According to Pro Basketball Talk’s Kurt Helin, there was word earlier this week that Russell was not a fan of possibly playing in Philadelphia: 

Russell later disputed that talk in an interview with Yahoo’s Marc J. Spears: 

The Louisville, Kentucky, native is obviously a hot commodity. This has not gone unnoticed by his former Buckeyes teammates, including Trevor Thompson: 

No matter where Russell ends up, the overwhelming sense is that he is a special player with all the tools to become a superstar in the NBA. 

The Curry comparison is most suitable to Russell’s style of play. Both players keep defenders on their toes with remarkable deceptiveness and creativity that stem from world-class dribbling skills. Just ask VCU last year:

In addition, both players make their teammates better. Russell, while averaging 19.3 points and five assists per game, led an underwhelming Ohio State team to the NCAA tournament. Curry took Davidson to the Elite Eight in 2008 and the Golden State Warriors to an NBA championship this year. 

Russell is not as quick as Curry or the same type of generational shooter. However, he makes up for it with his 6'5" frame, which allows him to absorb contact on drives and still finish with ease. According to SB Nation, Russell’s shooting is not too shabby, as he fits in with some of the league’s top point guards as far as percentages go: 

The big knock is that he is not a great defender, which sounds familiar to LostLetterman.com: 

He is still raw as well. Per ESPN’s Jeff Goodman, Russell is new to the point guard position: 

The kid is a natural playmaker who immediately makes whichever team takes him a lot better. It is safe to say Bryant would not mind receiving these types of passes: 

Plays like that prove Russell possesses supreme confidence, as that takes guts. He will have no problem commanding and running an NBA offense, and his teammates will trust him because he has so much belief in himself. 

In the NBA draft, anything can happen. Teams can make unexpected trades and mysteriously dismiss a player at the last second. Regardless, expect Russell to go no lower than third Thursday and look for him to fulfill his immense potential.