D’Angelo Russell laid a goose egg in the Los Angeles Lakers Game 3 loss to the Denver Nuggets, shocking fans with his 0-7 shooting display. Jay Williams went off on Russell while on ESPN, lambasting the guard for quitting on the team and not participating in late-game team huddles.
“For D’Angelo Russell to check out of a game like that and not even be involved in a team huddle, it gives me major concern. In two out of three games, he’s been a detriment to the Lakers. You have LeBron and AD giving it their all and then you have the starting point guard not even involved in a team huddle.”
Williams said that the Lakers need to reconsider even wanting him on the roster, given how he regularly disappears against the Nuggets.
“If I’m the Lakers, I’m looking at things like that, considering how he played last year when they got swept. They had to pull him off the floor. For a guy that talks this way, you’d think he’d back it up with his play. But to me, his ceiling is nowhere near where his floor needs to be because his floor is extremely low.”
Russell’s late-game actions on the court and the bench further irked Williams, who says he wants D’Lo gone from the franchise.
“For him to be checked out in the game that way, I don’t want him on my roster. I don’t want him on my team. I want everybody pulling in the same direction and when things get hard, if you’re not willing to lean in more, I can’t have you be a part of what I’m trying to build.”
Jay Williams goes off on D’Angelo Russell and says he quit on the Lakers 😳
“I don’t want him on my roster.”
(🎥 @GetUpESPN )
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) April 26, 2024
Russell has brought upon the ire of analysts like Williams and Lakers fans overall for refusing to participate in a late-game huddle, scrolling on his phone, and eating food while on the bench.
D’Lo refusing to take part in the huddle now. https://t.co/GjGz17ZNp0 pic.twitter.com/rRL39WSK5z
— Lakers All Day Everyday (@LADEig) April 26, 2024
D’Angelo has consistently struggled to perform against the Nuggets, especially in the Playoffs. He seemed to break that trend in Game 2 when he scored 23 points, but we’re right back to disappointment after his 0-point outing in Game 3. Russell had a negative impact on the game, making himself unplayable in the fourth quarter.
The series isn’t over, but Russell’s demeanor makes it seem like he’s already thinking of his summer plans instead of what might be needed to win a game against the Nuggets.
D’Angelo Russell Will Most Likely Reject Player Option And Become A Free Agent This Summer
D’Angelo Russell has an $18 million option on his contract this summer and could enter free agency to find a new home in the league. Whether it’s a good thing or a bad thing, Brian Windhorst has reported that Russell is expected to decline his option and re-enter the free agent market.
D’Angelo signed his current contract last summer with a two-year, $36 million deal. Many were confused about the short length of the contract, but it’s clear Russell was betting on himself to have a strong year and get a more lucrative contract next summer.
He had a decent season in LA, overcoming an extremely rough start to the season to end the season, averaging 18.0 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 6.3 assists. He was crucial for the Lakers from February to April and helped them climb out of the No. 9 seed and end the season at No. 8.
NBA teams and front offices remember your last game more than anything, so Russell needs to bounce back before this season is over, or else he’ll ruin his own market.
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