D’Angelo Russell Will Stay In LA
D’Angelo Russell will get a “third” chance with the Lakers. Despite his poor playoffs, Los Angeles is bringing back their former lottery pick. The deal is two years and $37 million with a player option for year two. Adrian Wojnarowski confirmed the news:
Free agent G D’Angelo Russell has agreed on a two-year, $37 million contract to stay with the Los Angeles Lakers, co-heads of @CAA_Basketball Austin Brown and Aaron Mintz along with Antonio Russell tell ESPN. Deal has player option. Lakers secure their starting point guard. pic.twitter.com/ScrZHD7Jio
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2023
This looks like a pretty good deal for the Lakers. Russell is betting on himself and the chance of improving during his first full season with this squad. The Lakers needed to try and bring the band back together and they certainly did. The starting backcourt will be nearly identical next season. DLo and Austin Reaves will be the likely 1 and 2. They will replace Dennis Schroder with Gabe Vincent as well as likely not bring back Malik Beasley. Lonnie Walker IV is still a free agent but arguably deserves a raise after his play in the postseason. It’s possible that 2023 first-round pick Jalen Hood-Schifino steps into the rotation for Darvin Ham.
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Russell did well for himself in the regular season with LA. But it’s the playoffs that everyone will remember. His no show allowed the likes of Reaves and the returning Rui Hachimura to step in and play key roles. If DLo goes south again, he could start running out of chances. However, Los Angeles now has the chance to run it back with some interesting plug-and-play pieces. But they will be one of many teams trying to make it to the Western Conference Finals and beyond.
D’Angelo Russell is returning to the Lakers. Rob Pelinka has been very busy in the past few days, and this deal may turn into some good business.
