Lakers Reportedly Trying to Meet With D'Angelo Russell in Free Agency

Brooklyn Nets v Philadelphia 76ers - Game Five
Brooklyn Nets v Philadelphia 76ers - Game Five / Mitchell Leff/Getty Images

After moving some pieces to free up enough cap space to land a big fish in free agency, it seems the Los Angeles Lakers may have a target in place, and it comes as a familiar name to the organization.

Russell, as you may remember, was drafted second overall by the Lakers in 2015, only to be traded away to Brooklyn in a deal that saw Los Angeles dump the Timofey Mosgov contract and acquire Brook Lopez. After experiencing a breakout season with the Nets and with Brooklyn looking set to bring in Kyrie Irving, Russell will become another premier free agent in an already impressive class.

What Russell did for the Nets will not soon be forgotten -- after a franchise-crippling trade with the Celtics, one that many consider to be the most lopsided deal in NBA history, Brooklyn was in dire need of a leader.

Russell became that leader.

He became the center of a young, talented Nets lineup, posting 21 points and 7 rebounds a game in a season that saw the Nets win the No. 6 seed in the East.

Now, it seems his tenure at Atlantic Avenue is all but over. Is a reunion with the team that drafted him in store?