In a decision that could have repercussions in the coming weeks, D’Angelo Russell plans to pick up his $18.7 million option to play for the Los Angeles Lakers next season, according to multiple reports.
Russell averaged 18 points (on 46/42/83 shooting splits), 6.3 assists and 3.1 rebounds per game last season, helping the Lakers to a 47-35 record and the seventh seed in the Western Conference. His scoring average dropped to 14.2 points (38/32/50) in the playoffs, where the Lakers lost to Denver in the first round.
“I love what J.J. [Redick, the Lakers’ new head coach] it’s about and I truly see myself thriving under his guidance to help win at a high level,” Russell told ESPN’s Dave McMenamin about your decision to accept.
Lakers reserve Jaxson Hayes also exercised his $2.4 million option to play for the Lakers, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic. Hayes and Redick were teammates on the 2019-20 New Orleans Pelicans.
Russell is a quality ball handler, making an All-Star team in 2019, but his production has historically declined greatly in the playoffs, where his defensive limitations have also been exploited.
The Lakers traded Russell Westbrook and a 2027 first-round draft pick in the deal that brought Russell back to Los Angeles at the 2023 trade deadline. They signed Russell to a two-year, $36 million contract in the summer last and reportedly acquired him at the February trade deadline when they had their eye on Atlanta Hawks guard Dejounte Murray. The Hawks showed no interest in Russell, by Sam Amick of The Athletic.
But count Lakers guard Austin Reaves among those who wanted to see Russell stay in Los Angeles
“I want him to be around” Reaves told Michael Scotto of HoopsHype last April. “That’s probably my best friend on the team. We get off the court a lot and play golf together. We’re constantly in communication and we play Call of Duty together. He’s one of my closest friends since I’ve been in the NBA. Obviously, his basketball game It speaks for itself about how talented he is and what he can do for our group. We need him to be at our best. I can do or I can do to help him stay around, I’ll definitely try to do that.”
The basketball world was watching Russell’s decision. Opting to do so means the Lakers will still be able to include his mid-term contract in trade negotiations. Opting out meant he controlled his own basketball destiny, even if it meant taking a cut from his $18.7 million starting salary next season. I think we know where his priorities lie.
