9. D’Angelo Russell, Los Angeles Lakers
Stats: 10.9 points, 3.0 assists
Simply looking at the stat sheet, you wouldn’t be able to tell that D’Angelo Russell was the second overall pick in the NBA Draft. For some odd reason, Lakers coach Byron Scott has mishandled his playing time. He hasn’t been getting much fourth quarter minutes this season and is only averaging 27 minutes per game.
For the second overall pick, and considering that he’s playing for a really bad team, that isn’t ideal. The biggest concern right now for Russell has to be his assist numbers. He’s only averaging three per game and only four per 36. That simply doesn’t cut it, especially considering the Lakers decided to draft Russell ahead of Jahlil Okafor, who has been lighting it up for the Philadelphia 76ers this season.
As the season progresses, though, expect Scott to slowly take the training wheels off Russell. Hopefully, he also cuts Kobe Bryant‘s minutes, which should equate to more play-making opportunities for the future face of the Los Angeles Lakers.
Next: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson