The Los Angeles Lakers have officially exercised team options on D’Angelo Russell, Julius Randle and Larry Nance Jr. News of the team options was announced by general manager Mitch Kupchak on Wednesday.
Lakers Exercise Team Options on Young Trio
D’Angelo Russell
As a former No. 2 overall pick, point guard D’Angelo Russell heads into the 2016-17 season as a key player on a young Lakers team. Despite attracting unnecessary attention off the court last season, Russell has shown significant signs of growth. After being named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team last season, Russell spent his off-season with the USA Men’s Select Team. More importantly, Russell managed to stay out of trouble this summer. Last season, Russell averaged 13.2 points and 3.3 assists per game. Russell only started 48 games, so we still don’t know if the young point guard can be the main man in Los Angeles. We will find out a whole lot more this season about Russell than we did during his last campaign.
Julius Randle
After missing all but 14 minutes of his rookie year, power forward Julius Randle proved why the Lakers drafted him seventh overall in 2014. Last season, Randle averaged 11.3 points and 10.2 rebounds per game. Averaging a double-double was quite an achievement for the young big man. Heading into his third season in the NBA and still just 21 years old, Randle is set to start this season. The Lakers brought Randle along slowly last season, starting him in just 60 games. The young forward still has a long way to go in his career, but fans have to be excited by the promise that Randle has shown so far.
Larry Nance Jr.
Power forward Larry Nance Jr. is one of the main reasons that the Lakers have retained GM Mitch Kupchak. Nance was selected 27th overall by the Lakers in 2015, and he has developed into a strong bench player. After starting 22 games last season, Nance showed what he is all about: hustle, hustle, and more hustle. Playing with such a high motor will help the Lakers push the pace when necessary. Under new head coach Luke Walton, Nance should thrive in his role as a bench impact player. Last season, Nance had three double-doubles and shot 52.7 percent from the field, third-highest among all rookies. Every team could use a player like Nance. He’s a player who is willing to put his body on the line for his team.
The Lakers play their season opener against the Houston Rockets on Wednesday.
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