One reason the Lakers have managed to play more competitively over the last few games, including wins in four of six, is the improved play of D'Angelo Russell, who looks a lot more like the guy who was the Lakers best player not named Anthony or LeBron for the first month of the season. Russell's 29 points against Dallas on Wednesday was a reminder that whether you see him as the team's third best player, fourth best, or maybe even something after that, he's got certain skills that aren't easily replicated around the roster.

He's the most likely player outside the stars to pop off for 30 points, for example. He's also the best non-LeBron organizer and facilitator on the squad. His point guard skills aren't replicated by Austin Reaves, for examples.

So when he plays well, the Lakers look like a different team. When he plays well AND LeBron and AD are on? The Lakers can appear genuinely dangerous.

He is, and this is just the reality of it, the most likely player on the roster to be used as trade bait. But it means the Lakers really need to consider carefully what they're getting back should they decide to make a move.

Meanwhile, Darvin Ham seems to have settled on the nine guys he wants to give playing time to in a coherent rotation, with Cam Reddish and Gabe Vincent out, and Jaxson Hayes (rightly) deemed unplayable. But what will that look like when Reddish is available to play? And how does this relative health impact the guy many Lakers fans love to hate, Taurean Prince?

Finally, starting tonight against Brooklyn, the Lakers have a run of winnable games between now and the February 8th trade deadline. Of the 10 between now and then, only three come against high end teams (the Clippers, Boston and New York). Having not capitalized on the bulk of their run of home games, the Lakers really, really need to make hay now, both to make up ground in the Western Conference and to settle questions ahead of the deadline.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: D'Angelo Russell, X-factor.

SEGMENT 2: The rotation is set now, right?

SEGMENT 3: Gotta make some waves in a good stretch of schedule.

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