The NBA is hitting its busiest point of the year with the draft passing and free agency around the corner. Trades have been sprouting up around the league, and the Sacramento Kings have been trying to make their own splash by acquiring D'Angelo Russell from the Los Angeles Lakers, according to Marc Stein of ESPN. The Kings have been pushing hard to land the former No. 2 pick in the week leading to the 2016 NBA Draft.
Rumors about the Kings' interest in Russell were flying within a week of the Lakers drafting the Ohio State guard, but ultimately discussions fizzled out. The noise began again around near the end of the 2016 season, with Kings general manager Vlade Divac needing to go on record that the franchise was not trading Cousins.
Speculation about the Lakers willingness to move Russell as they prepare for a new era of basketball began again as the draft drew nearer, but Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak recently texted Russell to inform he has nothing to worry about and should have put that to bed. What's going on behind the scenes is anybody's guess, though.
The Kings and Lakers have clearly engaged in discussions over the last year, but as it stands both sides have taken public stances that nothing is imminent.