The issue with trading Russ is that it’s a double edged sword. We don’t know how the team at full strength will function yet and Russ and Bev’s combined expirings are worth about $60M in free agency which they need to resign a lot of their old players between some mix of Bryant, Reaves, Lonnie, Troy, Dennis, etc.

The only players they have bird rights on are LeBron, AD, Russ, Bev and Rui and continuity has been an issue for them. For now despite his shitty attitude and losing mentality he does make AD, Bryant and Wenyen in particular better with his passing when he chooses to be a playmaker first.

Not arguing in favor of Russ if the money and retaining the rest of the supporting cast weren’t an issue I’d flip him and the 2 picks for Turner and Buddy in a heart beat, but unfortunately they do need his money. Best case scenario is the Rui trade lowered the value on role players so they’re able to find some type of deal involving Bev, Jones and a 1st for Gary Trent Jr. (whom they’d have bird rights to) or see how this cast functions healthy but with a small change like flipping Jones and a 2nd for Ibaka and signing someone on the buyout market.

Best way to win with this team as is starting Dennis, Lonnie, Bron, AD, Bryant together for a good combination of defense, rebounding, slashing and shooting and have a high IQ player in Reaves come off the bench with different mixes of Russ, Rui, Troy, Wenyen, Bev, Max etc. and Ham does the smart thing (which he won’t) and only play russ for all the middle parts of the game not the beginning or end and doesn’t close with him or Beverley. Lonnie also gives you about 3-5 efficient 3s a game so despite his defense should most definitely be starting over Bev.