Playing for the Los Angeles Lakers is not for everyone.
Some gamers struggle under bright lights, and the constant media pressure doesn’t make things any easier for them.
This may also be the case with D’Angelo Russell, who was not at his best in either of his terms with Purple and Gold.
However, despite this, The Athletic’s Jovan Boha reports, via NBACentral, that the team is still looking to bring him back for next season.
Lakers plan to re-sign D’Angelo Russell, per @tweet pic.twitter.com/ZqiMsY7R7a
– NBACentral (TheNBACentral) June 28, 2023
There have been conflicting reports on the matter, though.
Some have stated that LeBron James was not happy with Russell’s playing and that the team wouldn’t mind moving on from him, especially considering the money he would need.
But now that they’re unlikely to get Damian Lillard, Kyrie Irving, or even Chris Paul, it might as well be for the best.
Russell has been fairly solid since arriving via trade from Minnesota, but his performance has gone south in the playoffs again, a common trend for him over the past couple of seasons.
The Lakers don’t have a lot of financial flexibility, which is why keeping some players may be better than trying to bring in some others on the free market or commercial market.
It’s unclear if Russell will take a pay cut to stay in Los Angeles, and there was a point where he didn’t feel comfortable even with his role as off ball rather than primary ball handler.
But for now, both sides seem to need each other.
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