The Los Angeles Lakers are re-signing D’Angelo Russell to a two-year, $37 million contract, according to NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. Russell was an unrestricted free agent.
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.
However, Russell was so bad against the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference Finals that many people around the NBA believed the Lakers shouldn’t have re-signed 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.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: D’Angelo Russell & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
Despite Russell’s struggles versus the Nuggets, though, the Lakers brought him back. For the first time in the LeBron James-Anthony Davis era, which started in 2019-20, Los Angeles is prioritizing continuity and chemistry over chasing flashier upgrades this offseason.
The Lakers had a busy day one of free agency. They re-signed Rui Hachimura and signed Gabe Vincent, Cam Reddish and Taurean Prince. On day two, Los Angeles signed Jaxson Hayes and re-signed Russell. The last step for the Lakers is to re-sign Austin Reaves, who is a restricted free agent.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: D’Angelo Russell & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
The Lakers wanted to sign Bruce Brown, but the NBA champion went to the Indiana Pacers. With James and Davis leading the way next season, the LakeShow should be able to contend for a title as long as AD and LeBron stay healthy.
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