LOS ANGELES -- At least for now, the band will be coming back next year.
D'Angelo Russell is reportedly picking up his $18.7 million player option to stay in L.A., according to Shams Charania of the Athletic.
Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell is picking up his $18.7 million player option for next season to stay in LA, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. pic.twitter.com/H44wduSZL3
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 29, 2024
Russell averaged 18.0 points and 6.3 assists while shooting .415 from three in the regular season. However, Lakers fans have looked at him as a scapegoat as he didn't do well in the first round against the Nuggets last spring. He averaged 14.2 points and 4.2 assists in that series and shot .318 from three.
Still, Russell has the ability to go on a shooting streak that overwhelms opponents. He is looked at as a third option after Anthony Davis and LeBron James and is capable of taking over a game. It's just that he hasn't come close to that in his two postseasons with the Lakers.
But he's running it back for a third season should the Lakers choose to keep him. Los Angeles is always in the rumor mill and there are whispers about the team either keeping their players together to ensure continuity or going after a third star. The season doesn't start until October and that is still a long way off. Anything can happen until then.
Russell was originally drafted by the Lakers in 2015 with the second overall pick. He was traded to the Nets after two seasons and became an All-Star in Brooklyn in 2019. He had a brief stint in Golden State then spent three and a half years with Minnesota before the Lakers reacquired him before the 2023 trade deadline.
D'Angelo Russell is averaging 17.8 points and 5.8 assists for his NBA career. He will be entering his 10th season this coming fall.