After LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers were eliminated from the NBA playoffs by the Denver Nuggets, a number of questions have arisen about the future of all parties involved.
James started the madness when he suggested in his final post-game press conference that he might be open to the idea of retirement. No one actually thinks he’s going to quit, but the message he’s sending is clear: roster reform.
Although Los Angeles advanced late past the NBA trade deadline, before that James had to carry the entire team on his back for most of the season. This affected him in the Western Conference Finals, where he was completely outplayed by Nikola Jokic.
D’Angelo Russell, one of the hunks that helped the Lakers reach the Western Conference Finals, was also responsible for the Nuggets’ sweep of the team.
Denver took advantage of Russell on both sides of the field for four games. It got really bad at one point Nuggets players and coaches were openly mocking him.
With Russell’s free agency looming, many are now wondering What the future holds for him.
This week, in conversation with NBA insider Sean DeveneyJames’ feelings for Russell were highlighted by a league executive working with the Western Conference team.
“I hate to say that one cliffhanger series can change the entire view of the franchise on a guy because not only does that happen, but it happens with some of the people in that building, and perhaps more importantly, with LeBron,” he said.
Is this a guy they want to invest in? Does LeBron want him back — there’s talk he’s not the biggest fan of Russell?
“But they gave up that pickaxe (the first of the 2027 turn) to get it and I can tell you, it was like pulling teeth for some of them in that building. They gave up the pickaxe, they didn’t let it get away.”
While someone like Austin Reeves seems like hypothetical locks to return to LA next season, the jury is still out on Russell.
If James isn’t really sold to him as the guard they want to go to war with in 2023-24, it’s hard to see Rob Pelinka & Co not exploring every possible option to get rid of him.
Will Russell still be James’ team mate at the Lakers starting next season? Time will tell.