D’Angelo Russell Sends Message on $18 Million Decision

Los Angeles Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell always planned to use his $18.7 million player option to his advantage in the second year of a two-year, $36 million contract.

Russell began the season as the starting point guard for the Lakers. He had to return to the top five after former head coach Darvin Ham benched him in an effort to revive the team. Ham said the decision was made with the help of LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

Faced with a June 29 deadline to make his decision, Russell chose his option.

“D’Angelo Russell tells me he intends to accept his player option and stay with the Los Angeles Lakers. His number 1 priority is to win a championship. » Jordan Richards, founder of Swish Cultures, reported on X on June 29.

Athletic’s Shams Charania corroborated the report shortly after.

“I love what JJ (Redick) stands for and I really see myself thriving under his leadership to help win at a high level,” Russell said according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.

“When I signed my contract last year, I knew what position I was going to put myself in,” Russell told reporters April 30. “So to be in this position now with some power, I’m going to try to take advantage of it.”

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D’Angelo Russell ‘never lacks’ confidence

Russell has spoken openly about feeling humiliated by some of the things that have been said about him during his career. Russell was the Lakers’ second choice in the 2015 draft. But including this second stint with the Lakers, he is on his fifth team and entering his tenth NBA season.

“With my talent and my skill on the field, I always felt like I was capable of doing things,” Russell told members of the media on March 9. “Getting in shape makes it a little more exciting throughout a game. Off the field, obviously, you all know what I’ve been through. The public humiliation just turned me into the killer you see today.”

“I never lack confidence, I’m never afraid of confrontation, I want all the smoke, I want to talk about it. High IQ players? Let’s go into the room and talk about it.

Russell has averaged at least 17 points per game in every season since 2017-18, earning All-Star honors with the Brooklyn Nets in 2018-19. He also spent time with the Golden State Warriors and the Minnesota Timberwolves.

“I’m just confident in what I bring to the game of basketball,” Russell said in March.

“Whether it’s film, whether it’s watching it, whether it’s helping young players, I just know what I bring to the table. No matter what room I walk into, I’m confident.

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D’Angelo Russell’s decision could impact Lakers’ offseason plans

It’s unclear how Russell fits into the Lakers’ plans for next season, if at all. He played a key role in their stalled trade talks with the Atlanta Hawks before the deadline that would have brought in Dejounte Murray.

The Hawks viewed Russell as a poor fit alongside Trae Young, according to Charania in January.

The Lakers are not including Austin Reaves in their offer, according to Dan Woike of the LA Times, which Sam Amick of The Athletic said was still the case as of June 25.

Atlanta traded Murray to the New Orleans Pelicans on June 28 for a package featuring former Laker Larry Nance Jr. and Los Angeles’ 2025 first-round draft pick. Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports reported on June 28 that the Lakers were on Young’s list of preferred landing spots if he was traded.

It’s unclear whether the Hawks or Young plan to part ways after the trade.

The three-time All-Star is entering the third year of a five-year contract worth $215.1 million. He also changed agencies this offseason.