At least now, the Lakers may be open to trading D'Angelo Russell.
Pop singer Iggy Azalea thanked the Los Angeles rookie point guard on Wednesday for his video of teammate Nick Young, Azalea's fiancé, revealing that he cheated on her with a 19-year-old at a nightclub.
D'Angelo Russell Posts Video Of Teammate Nick Young Confessing To Cheating On Iggy Azalea
hmmm i see D Angelo Russell is trending... I actually liked his film. Thanks bro.
— IGGY AZALEA (@IGGYAZALEA) March 30, 2016
Lakers officials have become aware of the situation, ESPN is reporting, and the franchise could be sitting on an active volcano in dealing what what teammates apparently see as a traitorous Russell.
"Various Lakers officials are aware of the issue and are dismayed with Russell, sources say, but to this point they have chosen not to intervene," according to ESPN.
Kobe Bryant Says D'Angelo Russell Not A Franchise Player
"Right now," one source said, "they're handling it by isolating him."
"Austin Brown, Russell's agent from Creative Artists Agency, declined to comment when reached Tuesday," ESPN added.
"Said one team insider: 'This was a prank gone wrong and a mistake by [Russell], and he has to be held accountable, but I would hope he isn't overly criticized for it.'"
The developing situation could explain the Lakers' lethargy displayed during a 123-75 loss to the Utah Jazz on Monday night, the worst in team history.
A source told ESPN that none of Russell's teammates would sit at his table at a recent team breakfast and that during another scene, the Ohio State alum entered the Lakers locker room and sat next to veteran Lou Williams, who got up and left.
"It's bad," one team source told ESPN.com's Ramona Shelburne. "It's about as bad as it can get. There were trust issues already. Now there's no trust."
Los Angeles superstar Kobe Bryant recently hinted that no other Laker was ready to take the leadership mantle from him, with Russell being the big slight based on being the No. 2 overall selection in the 2015 NBA Draft.
The Lakers have the second worst record in the NBA, leading on the Philadelphia 76ers. Ironically, the Sixers would get L.A.'s 2016 first-round draft pick if the Lakers' selection falls outside the top three after the lottery drawing.
Los Angeles desperately is trying to lure a free agent to lead the core of young talent amassed. The Lakers failed to acquire Sacramento's DeMarcus Cousins in a trade last year because L.A. did not want to give away too much of its youth.
Now, Russell could become part of any trade talks the Lakers may pursue.
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