D’Angelo Russell missed his sixth consecutive game on Tuesday due to a right ankle sprain. However, the Lakers point guard could return as early as this week, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin (Twitter link).
Head coach Darvin Ham said prior to the team’s game against the Grizzlies that Russell is “progressing according to plan.” McMenamin learned that Russell went through a contact workout with Lakers coaches on Monday. Los Angeles doesn’t play again until Friday, giving Russell more time to ramp up before the team faces Toronto.
Russell, who is headed to free agency, was acquired in a three-way deal at the trade deadline. It was reported shortly after he joined the Lakers for a second stint that there was mutual interest in an extension.
Russell’s play the rest of the way could build his case for an extension or a big offer in free agency. He’s in the final year of a four-year, $117MM contract.
He only played four games for the Lakers before he was injured. He’s averaging 17.6 points and 6.1 assists in 58 combined starts with Minnesota and the Lakers this season. He averaged 18.1 points and 7.1 assists last season for the Timberwolves.
I would like Russell back on the Nets. Bridges, Russell, and one more guy would make the Nets a real contender. Someone like maybe Brandon Ingram would catapult this team to the next level
You’re gonna need an actual PG to run the show if that happens…
DLo makes sense on the Lakers because of LeBron…
Outside of the scenario that the team acquiring Dlo and has a lead ball handler he can shoot off ball from… There’s no contending for a team that DLo is a major rotation piece of…
A real contender for what?
Though their games aren’t similar, their immaturity is… no team with DLo or Westbrook is gonna win anything of significance
Explain this
Us Laker fans laugh at “return as early as..”. There has been nothing “early” when it comes to describing DeLo’s ankle.
DLo had better hope the Lakers want to showcase him for even a sniff at a bigger contract in free agency…
The league knows he disappeared in the playoffs… And the Lakers without LeBron do not really have a chance at the play in…
I do hope he plays better in the playoff this year if the lakers do make it. He was so terrible in the playoffs last season.
Which Russell would Lakers fans rather have right now?
Bill
There is no scenario where Laker fans would want Westclank back. Id rather forfeit games if we did not have enough players to suit up
Kerri, prime Felicity years