The Los Angeles Lakers are “trending toward” bringing back All-Star point guard D’Angelo Russell, according to NBA insider Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports.
Russell becomes an unrestricted free agent at 6 PM ET on June 30.
“The other strong word out of Hollywood is that the Lakers are trending toward bringing back D’Angelo Russell after acquiring him from the Timberwolves at February’s trade deadline,” Fischer wrote. “Early indications are that Russell and the Lakers could come to terms on a two-year, $40 million deal with the second year a team option or non-guaranteed.”
The Lakers acquired Russell from the Minnesota Timberwolves at the 2023 February trade deadline and the Ohio State product played well in his 17 games with Los Angeles, averaging 17.4 points and 6.1 assists while shooting 41.4% from 3.
D’Lo also put up strong numbers in the first two rounds of the 2023 playoffs versus the Memphis Grizzlies and Golden State Warriors. The Louisville native averaged 15.7 points and 5.0 assists and scored 31 points in Game 6 against the Grizzlies.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: D’Angelo Russell & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
However, Russell was so bad against the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference Finals that many people around the NBA believe the Lakers shouldn’t re-sign him. The lefty averaged 6.3 points and 3.5 assists while shooting 32.3% from the field and 13.3% from beyond the arc as the Nuggets swept the Lakers.
Despite Russell’s struggles versus the Nuggets, though, it appears the Lakers are going to bring him back. Los Angeles is planning to re-sign combo guard Austin Reaves, small forward Rui Hachimura and Russell this summer, according to Jovan Buha of The Athletic. Reaves and Hachimura are restricted free agents.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: D’Angelo Russell & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
For the first time in the LeBron James-Anthony Davis era, which started in 2019-20, the Lakers are expected to prioritize continuity and chemistry over chasing flashier upgrades this offseason.
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