According to NBA insider Jovan Buha of The Athletic, the Los Angeles Lakers may decide to keep D’Angelo Russell.
Russell has been playing at a high level lately.
Over his last five games, Russell is averaging 27.2 points, 2.2 rebounds, 6.4 assists, 0.8 steals and 1.0 blocks while shooting 55.9% from the floor, 53.7% from 3 and 100% from the free-throw line. The Lakers are 3-2 since head coach Darvin Ham put Russell back into the starting lineup.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: D’Angelo Russell, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
Russell is averaging 16.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.5 blocks on the season while shooting 48.1% from the field, 41.2% from beyond the arc and 78.0% from the foul line. He’s making $17.3 million.
The Lakers offered Russell, Jalen Hood-Schifino and draft picks to the Atlanta Hawks for Dejounte Murray, who has the same agent as LeBron James an Anthony Davis. A deal didn’t happen because the Hawks wanted a third team to acquire Russell.
Russell signed a two-year, $36 million contract with the Lakers last offseason. The one-time All-Star has a player option worth $18.7 million for next season.
The Hawks are anticipated to move Murray before the February 8 trade deadline and most insiders expect the Lakers to acquire the Washington product. If Murray gets traded to Los Angeles, Russell will be part of the deal.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: D’Angelo Russell, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
It will be intriguing to see if Russell gets traded by the Lakers for a second time. Russell was traded by LAL in 2017 to the Brooklyn Nets. The Ohio State product was drafted by the Lakers with the second overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft.
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