Present position:Lakers' D'Angelo Russell exercises $18.7 million player option to stay in L.A., per report >>Text
Lakers' D'Angelo Russell exercises $18.7 million player option to stay in L.A., per report
Credit Card Protection Policies196Have read
About Lakers' D'Angelo Russell exercises $18.7 million player option to stay in L.A., per report Ru...
Lakers' D'Angelo Russell exercises $18.7 million player option to stay in L.A., per report
Russell is widely expected to be a trade candidate for the Lakers this offseason
By Sam Quinn • 2 min readD'Angelo Russell is opting into the final year and $18.7 million of his contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, according to The Athletic's Shams Charania. Russell, whom the Lakers acquired at the 2023 trade deadline, signed a two-year deal with the Lakers last offseason that included this player option. With trade rumors swirling around him at both the deadline and during this offseason, there was some fear that he might opt out and leave the Lakers for nothing. However, with Russell opting in, the Lakers will either bring back their starting point guard or have extra salary to use in a trade.
Russell has had two strong regular seasons with the Lakers since joining the team in 2023. He averaged 17.4 points in his final 17 games of the 2022-23 season, and then put up 18 points and 6.3 assists per game while breaking the Laker record with 226 total 3-pointers last season. However, Russell struggled mightily in consecutive playoff series against the Denver Nuggets, both of which the Lakers lost. He averaged a pathetic 6.3 points per game in the 2023 Western Conference finals, and then shot below 39% from the floor in the first round against Denver last season. He was benched for Game 4 in 2023 but started all five games last postseason.
While Russell is a strong offensive player in the regular season, those playoff issues combined with his well-known defensive weaknesses make him a tough fit for a Lakers team with lofty postseason ambitions. He was an upgrade on Russell Westbrook when the Lakers were desperate, and his ability to run the offense for lengthy stretches helped keep LeBron James healthy, but now that he has opted in, the Lakers will likely consider him as a trade chip.
Their books sorely needed his salary for that purpose. The Lakers have four other players earning between $10 million to $20 million: Rui Hachimura, Austin Reaves, Jarred Vanderbilt and Gabe Vincent. This is the optimal range for trading purposes because it is a small enough number to be traded individually for a single, non-star player, but big enough that, when lumped with other contracts, can take in a very expensive acquisition. The problem here is that the Lakers view Reaves and Hachimura as long-term core pieces. With only Vincent and Vanderbilt as likely trade options, the Lakers were pretty limited in the kinds of players they could pursue. Adding Russell's $18.7 million to the mix gives them more flexibility to seek out help.
Tags:
Reprinted :Welcome friends to share to the network, but please explain the source of the article“Credit Card Protection Policies”。http://aqntz.feilaokan.com/ub8js4.html
Related articles
NCAA Tournament odds, futures: UConn still the betting favorite to win national championship
Lakers' D'Angelo Russell exercises $18.7 million player option to stay in L.A., per reportNCAA Tournament odds, futures: UConn still the betting favorite to win national championship...
Read more
Jazz Chisholm Jr. trade grades: Yankees, Marlins both do well in swap involving All
Lakers' D'Angelo Russell exercises $18.7 million player option to stay in L.A., per reportJazz Chisholm Jr. trade grades: Yankees, Marlins both do well in swap involving All-Star outfielder...
Read more
Fantasy basketball 2024
Lakers' D'Angelo Russell exercises $18.7 million player option to stay in L.A., per reportFantasy basketball 2024-25: Wemby, Christian Braun and 15 more players set for a significant playing...
Read more
Top Article
- Avalanche defenseman Sam Girard entering NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance program
- Shohei Ohtani's stolen
- Team USA takeaways: Anthony Edwards, Anthony Davis lead Americans to 86
- Warriors and Jazz probably have path to Lauri Markkanen trade, but what is the middle ground?
- Arkansas basketball recruiting: Ex
- Dodgers trade for Amed Rosario again: NL West superteam agree to Rays deal to help injured roster
Latest News
County Championship cricket: Pick your team of the 2024 season
What to look for from the Clippers roster, starting with Kawhi Leonard and James Harden
NBA schedule: Mavs' Klay Thompson returning to face Warriors among best homecoming games for 2024
WATCH: Shohei Ohtani's dog, Decoy, delivers first pitch prior to Dodgers game
WNBA trade grades: Sparks sign
Will Yankees' Jasson Domínguez be a September call