D’Angelo Russell told NBA reporters on October 11 that he doesn’t want to be a “liability” on defense for the Los Angeles Lakers again. The All-Star point guard struggled on defense in the 2023 Western Conference Finals versus the Denver Nuggets, a series Denver won in four games.
“Last year, they found a way to get me off the floor by not playing defense I guess,” Russell said. “So try to be a reason to eliminate that and not give them a reason to not have me on the floor. Try to be as dangerous as I can on offense and try not to be a liability on defense.”
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.
Russell 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 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.
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 prioritized continuity and chemistry over chasing flashier upgrades this offseason.
Russell’s new two-year contract with the Lakers is guaranteed for $36 million. Russell has $700,000 in incentives in each season of the deal. In addition, Russell waived his implied no-trade clause.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: D’Angelo Russell, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
While it’s only preseason, Russell has played very well for the Lakers on both sides of the floor. It looks like D’Lo is ready to make up for his shortcomings in the conference finals.
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