D’Angelo Russell remains in Lakerland.
The 28-year-old guard will pick up his $18.7 million player option for the 2024-25 NBA season. According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin:.
Russell cited the signing of JJ Redick, who replaced Darvin Ham as the Lakers’ head coach, as a major reason for spurning free agency and returning to Los Angeles.
“I love the way JJ runs things and I really feel like I can improve under his guidance and help win at a high level,” Russell told ESPN.
In his ninth NBA season, Russell averaged 18 points per game on 45.6 percent shooting and 41.5 percent from three-point range, along with 6.3 assists and 3.1 rebounds.
Redick said in his introductory press conference that deep passing will be key to the Lakers’ offense, a system that will thrive with Russell, who made a Lakers-record 226 3-pointers last season.
Russell, whose name has been constantly mentioned in trade rumors since arriving in Los Angeles, is on an expiring cap-friendly contract and could be used as a trade chip by the Lakers as they try to extend their championship chances with LeBron James and Anthony Davis at the helm.
James, meanwhile, waived his player option on Saturday but is reportedly planning to sign a new contract with the Lakers.
According to The Athletic, Russell was unhappy with Ham last season after Ham inexplicably removed the ball-handler from the starting lineup during a tough January stretch for the Lakers.
Russell’s 2023-24 season culminated in a bizarre moment on the Lakers’ bench during a 112-105 Game 3 first-round loss to the Nuggets, when he appeared to be eating while on his phone during a team huddle.
He played 24 minutes in the game but scored no points.
The Lakers lost to Denver two games later, eliminating them from the postseason for the second straight year.
