Russell can become a free agent at season’s end, but for now, he seems content to live in the moment with the team that drafted him second overall in 2015.
EL SEGUNDO — D’Angelo Russell wasn’t ready – not nearly ready, as it turned out – for what awaited him after the Lakers made him the second overall pick in the 2015 NBA draft. He was talented, no question. He was a promising player with a bright future ahead of him, no doubt about that, either.So, after two seasons, the Lakers traded him and Timofey Mozgov to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Kyle Kuzma and Brook Lopez.
The Lakers re-acquired Russell in order to rid themselves of Russell Westbrook, who had become an on-court and off-court distraction for a team that failed to live up to its promise in ways great and small and hoped to push the reset button on 2022-23. It was hoped Russell would provide stability.It’s worked out well for the Lakers, who have a 2-1 lead in their second-round playoff series against the Warriors going into Game 4 on Monday at Crypto.com Arena. Russell is averaging 16.7 points, 3.
Russell has found an enhanced role as a third option beyond Lakers superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis, setting them up for baskets with his playmaking ability. He hasn’t limited his game, however, as evidenced by scoring the Lakers’ first 11 points in their Game 3 victory Saturday.“I enjoyed coaching him,” said Warriors coach Steve Kerr, who coached Russell during his short stint with Golden State in 2019-20, when superstar guards Steph Curry and Klay Thompson were injured.
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