Lakers News: Pundit Considers LA Starter's 2024 Option Worth Monitoring

Should he stay or should he go?

After a disappointing end to an otherwise successful postseason, the Lakers decided to bring back a majority of their postseason core to gear up for another title run in 2024. 

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Winning a majority of their games to rise the standings, one piece that was key to such a turnaround could be on the trade block should his play in the regular season falter. 

Veterans

Kyle Lowry, Spencer Dinwiddie, Tyus Jones

and

Mike Conley

will be free agents. Russell Westbrook can opt out of his deal ($4 million) with the Clippers; D'Angelo Russell ($18.7 million player option)

via Eric Pincus, Bleacher Report

Though he could theoretically opt into his second year of a two-year deal signed this offseason, Russell's disappearance in the Western Conference looms large on the minds of many fans and front office personnel for the purple and gold. 

Giving him the benefit of the doubt, Rob Pelinka re-signed the former Buckeye to continue his second stint in Los Angeles after being drafted 2nd overall by the franchise in 2015. 

Stints with the Timberwolves, Nets and Warriors led Russell back to his original draft franchise, but this go around may not be as prolonged as he'd hoped either. 

Should Russell's form continue to slip similarly to his most recent showing in the purple and gold, he could be out of LA once more. 

With the team retaining Austin Reaves in addition to signing Gabe Vincent for either their sixth man or starting point guard role, Russell's play will be under a microscope under the watchful eye of all in the organization. 

Lebron James and Anthony Davis aren't getting any younger and Russell's role with the Lakers to aid their championship pursuits may not last if his play continues to dip like it did against Denver. 

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