Lakers Trade Rumors: LA 'Dangling' D'Angelo Russell to Acquire Top-12 Draft Pick

ESPN's Chad Ford reported Monday that the Los Angeles Lakers are dangling guard D'Angelo Russell to land another top-12 pick in the 2017 NBA draft.

Ford added the Lakers may be targeting Duke guard Luke Kennard and Gonzaga center Zach Collins in that range.

Eric Pincus of Basketball Insiders later tweeted he was told the rumor is inaccurate, however.

L.A. has long been expected to select UCLA guard Lonzo Ball with the No. 2 overall pick. If it does so, a logjam would form in the backcourt with Russell and Jordan Clarkson.

The Lakers took Russell with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2015 NBA draft out of Ohio State, and the 21-year-old is still coming into his own.

Last season, Russell averaged 15.6 points, 4.8 assists and 3.5 rebounds per game, while shooting 40.5 percent from the field and 35.2 percent from long range.

There has already been significant movement in this year's draft, as the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers finalized a deal Monday that resulted in Philly's moving up from No. 3 to No. 1 in the first round.

If the Lakers can replace Russell with Ball and add another intriguing prospect to the mix, they will have plenty of potential to feel good about with Clarkson, Julius Randle and Brandon Ingram also on board.

Also, since L.A. no longer owns its 2018 first-round pick, making an even bigger splash during the first round of the 2017 draft could be key in terms of accelerating the rebuilding process.