We all know the narrative by now — on February 8, the day before the trade deadline, the Lakers were five games below .500 and in the Western Conference’s 13th place. Then, just after noon Pacific time, the team landed D’Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley, and Jarred Vanderbilt.
Although Vando was almost certainly seen as the throw-in of the deal, following a former All-Star and a credible “laser,” he has a colorable case of being the most important piece the Lakers got for Russell Westbrook, a first round pick, and two more minimum-salaried players.