Lakers News: LA Guard Listed Among Most Likely Players To Be Traded This Season

Will he finish the season with the Purple and Gold?

Earlier in the 2023 offseason, when your Los Angeles Lakers signed point guard D’Angelo Russell to a new contract, many saw this as a potential trade opportunity down the line. The way that his contract is lined up gives LA the option to move him this season if they feel he isn’t living up to everything.

Russell was a key member in helping get the Lakers to the Western Conference Finals a season ago, but with the brightest lights on him, he folded. This led many to believe that he wouldn’t return to LA, but it was in the best interest of everyone to give things one more chance.

However, Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report recently listed the top NBA players to be traded this season, and Russell made the list.

“D'Angelo Russell is a solid outside shooter and pick-and-roll playmaker, but he may not be the championship-level defender the Los Angeles Lakers need to contend, and the contract he signed looks suspiciously like a trade chip.”

Per Andy Bailey, Bleacher Report

LA is going to rely on him to learn from his postseason struggles and improve this year. If he can do that, the team will become that much more lethal. But if his inconsistency shows once again, the team will likely move on.

They are contending for a title with LeBron James in his final years, so they don’t have room for problems. Russell provides them with solid shooting and a strong passing game, but his defense is a work in progress at best.

The Lakers will evaluate his game over the year and make a decision that is best for them. Russell knows this as well, which is why he decided to waive his implied no-trade clause in the contract.

LA offered him the best deal for this season, to make the most money, and Russell could then just see what happens. He would love to stay in LA, but he understands it’s a business at the end of the day.

This is going to be a situation to watch going forward and will be fascinating to see it all play out.

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