D’Angelo Russell Could Impact Lakers Summer Plans

The Los Angeles Lakers got D’Angelo Russell last season and he became a key piece for the team. His struggles in the postseason made people think that Russell would leave the Lakers in the offseason. It didn’t happen as the Lakers gave him a new deal. Russell seems to be doing a good job with the Lakers and the front office may not give up on him that easily. This could have a huge impact on their plans for the summer.

“Originally thought to be the Lakers’ most tradeable 2024 offseason contract, Russell has been so good lately that the script has flipped — from worries at the trade deadline that no other team would want his deal to new concern that he could opt out of his $18.6 million for next season and walk as an unrestricted free agent,” John Hollinger from The Athletic wrote on March 11.

Russell could have a big say in the next Lakers scenario

Russell is definitely turning heads this season. He was lethal in LeBron James’ absence and even helped the Lakers beat the Milwaukee Bucks. Russell tried really hard to be the third player behind LeBron and Anthony Davis. Will the front office even consider giving up on him?

If Russell leaves the team in the near future, the Lakers will lose the opportunity to trade for a star player.

“The right move wasn’t there, and it’s a thoughtful and tricky calculus at times. … We didn’t want to shoot a small bullet now that would only lead to very marginal improvement at the expense of making a much bigger and more impactful movement potentially in June and July,” Rob Pelinka told the media after the February 8 trade deadline.

The Lakers did discuss their chance to get Donovan Mitchell, Trae Young, or any other player of this caliber.

“Russell is their only expiring 2025 contract of any significance, and his opting out would leave them at a disadvantage in any trade discussions. As far as alternatives go, Austin Reaves has trade value, but L.A. would be trying to cobble together the rest of a salary match with less desirable deals like those of Gabe Vincent or Rui Hachimura,” Hollinger wrote.

Let’s see what happens in a couple of months. The Lakers will have to make the right decision regarding their roster.