Lakers News: Insider Projects Free Agent Future Of D'Angelo Russell This Summer

Will Russell remain a Laker past this season?

Your Los Angeles Lakers are in a middle of a grueling series against an in-state rival, the Golden State Warriors. The stakes are all at an all-time high, as this series could determine who represents the Western Conference in the NBA Finals. 

All that is happening right now with the Purple and Gold. However, it is never too early to discuss free agency plans for the Lakers. Beyond LeBron James and Anthony Davis, many of their players will be free agents this summer. 

Notably their starting point guard, D'Angelo Russell. It remains a question mark whether LA will sign the one-time All-Star, but an NBA analyst from Bleacher Report, Eric Pincus, believes the lefty guard will remain a Laker beyond this season. 

Russell has been a welcome fit alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis as the viable floor spacer Russell Westbrook couldn't be for the team. L.A. may not offer as much as he's currently earning ($31.4 million in the final year of his deal), but Russell could earn a similar deal to Jalen Brunson's $26 million-per-year contract.

Most of the teams that could use him can't afford him. The teams with money that may need a point guard include the Houston Rockets, Orlando Magic, San Antonio Spurs and Utah Jazz. Houston may prefer Kevin Porter Jr. over Russell, assuming James Harden doesn't join the franchise. The Magic, who have several young guards like Markelle Fultz, Jalen Suggs and Cole Anthony, may not target Russell.

A return to Los Angeles seems inevitable.

Russell has proven he is an excellent fit alongside the superstar duo of Davi and James. He is a streaky shooter sometimes, but the chemistry between the two has developed over their time together. 

I would be a fan of the Lakers running this team back regardless of what transpires this postseason. LA needs some stability after a series of in-and-outs in the past couple of years, and it'd be nice to keep Russell for years to come. 

Hopefully, the front office gets it done. 

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