The Los Angeles Lakers will pass on re-signing D’Angelo Russell
The Los Angeles Lakers have a big decision to make with D’Angelo Russell. He’s an unrestricted free agent but may not have that many offers with the way he ended this past season – being benched in the Western Conference Finals against the Denver Nuggets. That said, he’s also not a player that the Lakers can just let walk. And that’s where this all becomes complicated. The Lakers need to tread carefully and hope Russell’s market develops slowly.
In the end, I predict that the Lakers will pass on re-signing Russell. For as good as he was for the team in spurts after Los Angeles acquired him at the NBA Trade Deadline, the Lakers may be ready to hit the eject button on the Russell experiment. Even more so if they have another potential target that is ready – and willing – to make the jump to Los Angeles.
I’m not sure if the Lakers will work a sign-and-trade for Russell to sign elsewhere or if they’ll simply let him walk, but I figure the Lakers to be looking for an upgrade in the backcourt. If the Lakers are going to take a step forward next season, I can’t imagine that it will involve Russell being back on the team.
Hey, maybe I’m wrong?