D’Angelo Russell may have played his final game on the Lakers in their Game 5 loss to the Nuggets. Russell can enter free agency this summer if he declines the $18 million player option in his contract. Before he makes a final decision, Russell intends to use all the leverage he has to maximize what he can get from the Lakers or anybody else.
“When I signed my contract last year, I knew what position I was going to put myself in, so to be in that position now with a little leverage, I’ll try to take advantage of it.”
Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell on his player option: “When I signed my contract last year, I knew what position I was going to put myself in, so to be in that position now with a little leverage, I’ll try to take advantage of it.” pic.twitter.com/t6MFk44SeZ
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) April 30, 2024
D’Lo is yet to commit to any move in the summer. He does believe he’s put himself in a good position for free agency by saying he had a hell of a season.
“Oh, hell of a year by D’Angelo, humbly saying that. Through the ups and downs. Through all the, whatever you want to call it, it never bothered me. I always kept myself sane. When I look at my phone, my family, my friends, and my circle, just texting me telling me how proud they are of me. For me, that’s all I need. I don’t need anything else.”
Russell averaged 18.0 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 6.3 assists through the season, overcoming some rough stretches by emerging as the Lakers’ third-best player through the end of the season to help them solidify a playoff spot in an extremely competitive Western Conference.
He was disappointing in the first-round series against the Nuggets, averaging 14.2 points and 4.2 assists over five games. He has always struggled in this matchup, so it might be hard for the Lakers to fully ascertain whether he deserves a long-term or a big-money extension in the summer.
D’Angelo Russell’s Market Is Hard To Gauge
D’Angelo Russell is expected to decline his $18 million player option in the summer and enter the market. In what is shaping up to be an average free-agent market, there’s a high chance Russell gets an offer from one of the teams with cap space.
He’s a veteran combo guard who’s a proven scorer. As a role player, he’s valuable, but as a core piece, it’s hard to justify him getting a massive contract. Young teams like the Orlando Magic are reportedly interested in him, but the kind of contract Russell signs will be crucial as well.
Russell signed a two-year deal with a player option last year to ensure flexibility after giving the Lakers a slight discount during renewal talks. D’Angelo will feel like he can get a multi-year deal that guarantees him $20 million or more every season. Not many teams have $20 mil in space to offer the star, so the Lakers could pursue sign-and-trade opportunities as well.
Outside of the Magic, teams like the Spurs could be involved in giving Russell a contract to add a veteran guard to a growing roster. A return to the Brooklyn Nets could be on the cards as well, provided the Nets have the space to absorb Russell after struggling with point guard play all season.
The Lakers wouldn’t want to see Russell walk, so they will pursue all avenues of retaining their guard as long as it doesn’t lead to a massive overpay.
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