According to Adrian Wojnarowski, the Los Angeles Lakers have agreed to a second-year contract worth $37 million with option player D’Angelo Russell.
Russell, who earned $31.7 million in 2022-23, originally aimed for an annual salary of over $25 million for four years from the Minnesota Timberwolves. However, due to a weak market for point guards and his underwhelming performance in the conference finals, this became impractical. (Before the season ended, the Lakers and Russell had already discussed the possibility of a shorter contract.) The team also considered sign-and-trade options or letting him go to cut costs, but it was always anticipated that they would keep Russell, even after reaching an agreement with Gabe Vincent.
At exit interviews, Russell expressed his enthusiasm for returning to Los Angeles and witnessing the potential achievements of the post-trade deadline group after a training camp and full season together. Rob Pelinka has consistently stressed the team’s emphasis on continuity during the summer.
It appears that Russell will be included in Darvin Ham’s starting lineup on opening night. However, his moderate contract, impressive performance, and age (27) should make it simple to trade him if necessary. The Lakers have the option to trade Russell in the future.
Context
Magic Johnson publicly criticized Russell’s level of maturity during a national television appearance, which ultimately resulted in the Lakers deciding to trade him to the Brooklyn Nets. Russell, who was chosen as the second overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft from Ohio State, had a challenging two-year stint with the Lakers in Los Angeles. During his first season, the Lakers only managed to win 17 games, which coincided with Kobe Bryant’s final season. In the 2016-17 season, Russell achieved an average of 15.6 points per game, but caused internal conflict within the team by sharing a video featuring Nick Young.
At the age of 22, D’Angelo Russell was traded to the Golden State Warriors as part of the sign-and-trade deal for Kevin Durant. Before the start of the 2019-20 season, he quickly signed a $117.3 million, 4-year contract. After playing 33 games with the Warriors, he was then traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Upon coming back to Los Angeles last February, Russell openly spoke about his growth.
It’s so difficult to find stability in that, like looking at what the team is going to do in the future, you never know because you never understood what part you were doing and if I could be ready for it. I never hoped to come back here or anything like that, but it feels like the team helps me, so I feel like I can come back with that resume. I have done a lot of individual things. Did I go to the playoffs? Since I’ve been here, a lot has happened, I mean.
I really appreciate being back here now because I feel like I’m ready for everything that’s about to come for the team that comes.
(Magic recently recognized that D’Angelo Russell has truly “developed and evolved.”)
In the 17 games played after the deadline (excluding the 11 games he missed), Russell had shooting percentages of .484/.414/.735 while averaging 17.4 points and 6.1 assists. He performed admirably, especially during the first two rounds of the playoffs, where he averaged 15.7 points, 5.0 assists, and a 34.7% shooting accuracy from beyond the arc. Additionally, he led several crucial scoring surges at opportune moments.
Ham: “I got to give a huge shoutout to D’Angelo Russell…We were flailing…offensively & he was able to catch fire. He put us on his back offensively…If DLo doesn’t play the way he played, we don’t win this game.”
DLo hit 3 straight 3s in the 4th after the Grizzlies went up 7 pic.twitter.com/hE4zkUrtDn
— Michael Corvo (@michaelcorvoNBA) April 25, 2023
Russell was eventually replaced on the bench during Game 4 against the Denver Nuggets after struggling greatly throughout the series (6.3 PPG).
However, he emphasized the favorable aspects when looking back on his second period with the Lakers.
I can’t really complain about anything besides going to the ball when I wanted to, but I enjoyed my time. I am trying to figure out how to make it to the Western Conference Finals and fly out for that, and I am just trying to adjust and get thrown into the fire and be able to come back in this position. I give myself a pat on the back for being prepared and ready to come back. It has been a great experience.
Fit
D’Angelo Russell, the usually reliable catch-and-shooter, facilitator, and second playmaker, seamlessly complements LeBron James and Anthony Davis. DLo joined forces with AD and LeBron, achieving victories in 15 out of 20 games before facing the Lakers, the reigning champions.
I asked D’Angelo Russell what he’s learned about playing with LeBron and AD. He pretty openly admitted that he and AD don’t have their pick-and-roll chemistry down yet, mostly due to a lack of reps. pic.twitter.com/B6OJE86eej
— Michael Corvo (@michaelcorvoNBA) April 9, 2023
DLo expressed after the sweep, “I simply offer accolades to my intelligence quotient and my examination of the sport, merely understanding how to ready myself for the mental and physical challenges I was about to face and acknowledging that and putting it into action. I commend myself once again for that.” “I truly believe it simply demonstrates the kind of player I am, being capable of adapting to an entirely different style of basketball compared to what I was accustomed to in Minnesota and still managing to achieve some triumph and remain significant among these individuals.”