My jaw dropped when I heard Simmons suggest this trade.
"Here's my last trade. I think it's my favorite trade of all the trades. Jabari Parker for D'Angelo Russell straight up," said Simmons. "You can't [come up with a reason to not like it]. You won't be able to. It's a great trade."
Parker is a 6'8" forward who doesn't shoot threes. I'm not sure how he fits into a modern NBA offense. Seriously - he has taken seven threes this season, and missed every one.
He also blew out his knee last season. Plenty of players come back as good as ever after an ACL tear, but it's not a given.
Meanwhile, Russell can shoot, has good court vision, and is a wicked passer. He has a pile of question marks, like any 19 year old. But he sounds like a modern NBA player. The fact that we can even see his potential while the worst coach in the NBA sits on the bench is noteworthy.
It's a great trade for Milwaukee. It's a terrible trade for LA. Pass.