Lakers News: D’Angelo Makes Choice on Player Option, Putting Ball in LA’s Court

Los Angeles Lakers starting point guard D’Angelo Russell has picked up his $18.7 million player option for the 2024-25 season, reports Swish Cultures’ Jordan Richard.

In a statement to Dave McMenamin of ESPN, Russell cited new head coach J.J. Redick as part of the reason behind his thinking.

“I love what J.J. (Redick) is about and I really see myself thriving under his guidance to help win at a high level,” Russell said.

Unfortunately for the 6-foot-3 Ohio State product, he may not get an opportunity to see what the Redick-era Lakers can do. Per Jovan Buha of The Athletic, Russell’s deal, in combination with the $17 million owed power forward Rui Hachimura next year and the $11 million the team has earmarked for Russell’s defesnive-oriented backup, Gabe Vincent, are likely to be floated as trade fodder.

Russell submitted a terrific regular season for Los Angeles in 2023-24, averaging 18 points on a .456/.415/.828 slash line, 6.3 dimes, and 3.1 boards across 76 regular season contests, starting 69 of them. For the second straight year, the 28-year-old had trouble in the postseason for L.A. He averaged a scant 14.2 points on a .384/.318/.500 slash line during L.A.’s five-game first round playoff ouster at the hands of the Denver Nuggets.

He fell out of the Lakers’ starting five a year ago during a four-game Western Conference Finals sweep at the hands of the Nuggets, and though he didn’t stoop quite that low this year, his performance still left much to be desired.

More Lakers: D’Angelo Russell Leaning Towards Decision on Player Option