The Lakers acquired D’Angelo Russell from Minnesota last week as part of a three-team blockbuster trade that also sent Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt to Los Angeles.
Russell is playing on a $31.38MM expiring contract and could hit free agency this summer. However, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported on NBA Countdown (YouTube link) that there’s mutual interest between Russell and the Lakers in discussing a contract extension.
Based on Wojnarowski’s wording, those conversations have yet to begin, but there’s an expectation the two sides will come together in the coming weeks and months.
The Lakers don’t view Russell as a mere rental player, with Wojnarowski noting that they gave up their 2027 first-round pick (top-four protected) and a couple of second-rounders as part of the deal. There’s hope that the 26-year-old could be a “solution at that point guard position,” Wojnarowski said.
Russell is having a strong year from an efficiency standpoint, posting a .465/.387/.853 shooting slash line for a career-high .601 true shooting percentage. Through 56 games (32.9 MPG) with the Wolves and Lakers, he’s averaging 17.8 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 6.1 APG and 1.1 SPG.
In other Lakers-related news, LeBron James (foot/ankle) returned from a three-game absence on Wednesday, tweets Jovan Buha of The Athletic. Head coach Darvin Ham used a new starting lineup featuring Russell, Beasley, James, Vanderbilt and Anthony Davis.
I prefer the lakers using bird and Rfa rights for next year rather than trying to clear open cap
Russell Beasley rui Reaves all need to be resigned tho , no clutching the purse Jeanie , this Doesnt work going half – way
Tpmle still in play as well
Reaves is the most important of all those guys you mentioned, in my opinion, and now Russell, just b/c of what they gave up for him and just cap holds and stuff moving forward.
I dont think Hachimura is a big deal for them b/c of their other options at smallball 5, and at the 4 behind Lebron, unless he takes another big step forward, which he admittedly has been better on his 10 game sample with the Lakers
Combo guards that can score/shoot are relatively easy to find in the market right now, and the Lakers have had several just in the last couple of seasons, including this year
I think they are all important, my main point is you can’t be cheap here , these rfa/ bird rights are all you have , there is no market to find anyone in fjr the lakers
Lakers have $33 million tax room next season
DLo $25mm
Rui $10mm
Reaves $10mm
trade consideration
Irving $40 mm
Irving not going to Lakers because if his reason for leaving the Nets was about not getting a max deal why would he go to the lakers.
So far so good with Dlo. Think he suits playing the role as a scoring/shooting guard playing off other more ball dominate ball handlers and better playmakers.
LeBrons the sort of guy that gives him better looks in places he wants to score. Or creates mismatches and then the opportunity for DLo to attack. It’s not like he’s required to bring the ball up and start the offence and create for others, although he can do that it’s like he prefers to play off guys that make it easier for him to just score.
He’s a good age and he’s got a good history of being able to produce numbers. I think a resigning be mutually beneficial as the lakers could do with bringing him back at a cheaper rate if he performs but hes now at a stage in his career where he’s probably happy to stay in LA playing off a LeBron and AD and hopefully have some playoff runs.
I’d say a good fair deal would be 3 years 42mil (spread 12-14-16). He’s 26 so a 3 year deal sets him up till he’s 29. Great chance at success, hopefully get to settle in LA and then perfect time for 1 last decent contract at 29.
I think he has leverage with them for more than that. I could see something in the $18-23 million range for him, maybe more for a shorter term deal
I don’t think he has much leverage.
Lakers have a bunch of cap space and there’s options out there in FA like Kyrie and FVV.
Looking across the NBA a lot of teams are set with their starting PG and a lot of teams don’t have money to spend.
Also DLo’s perception across the league is long that of some amazing player right now. He’s been very inconsistent, had some injuries, had locker room drama in the past, has struggled to run and lead an offence and isn’t that great defensively.
Should he take some time and think about it staying with the Lakers makes a ton of sense. Would he really want to move onto yet another team, he’ll be 27 on his 6th team (twice with lakers). Why not stay, He knows the city, knows the franchise and they obviously value him, trading for him and engaging in talks right away.. His role isn’t to be a traditional point guard and run the offence, it’s to play off of LeBron who will direct the play and for him to look to score be it outside off the catch or attacking a mismatch or whatever. I think that suits Dlo perfectly, cause he doesn’t have to worry about sharing the ball round and helping others, he can just play his own game. Not only that but by playing with LeBron and AD your going to have a good chance of making the playoffs and possibly going further.
I think what they have to offer is going to be better than anything else he gets. Yes it might not be the most money but it terms of fit, comfort, chance of success, happiness etc I think it’s best for him.
Can you believe he’s only 26? Feel like he’s been in the league much longer. I remember when magic cast him off.
LA’s ownership is truly clueless. They will be a border line playin team at best for years
Ultimately I think Lakers keep Dlo and get Draymond who will opt out at GSW
Dlo Bron Green AD, then it’ll be about adding role players around that particularly shooters. Think Mo Bamba returns, not sure about Vanderbilt, but think Hachimura is gone. Get Cam Reddish, Patty Mills, Eric Paschall and Tristan Thompson.
Dlo Reddish Bron Green AD
Mills Reaves TBJ Vanderbilt Bamba
Christie Paschall Tristan Thompson
Give me what you got