{"id":76933,"date":"2024-05-10T15:45:59","date_gmt":"2024-05-10T19:45:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=76933"},"modified":"2024-05-10T15:45:59","modified_gmt":"2024-05-10T19:45:59","slug":"lakers-news-dangelo-russell-decides-on-player-option","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/05\/10\/lakers-news-dangelo-russell-decides-on-player-option\/","title":{"rendered":"Lakers News: D&#8217;Angelo Russell Decides on Player Option"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As players begin to decide whether they want to test the waters of free agency, new reports have emerged about Lakers starter <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/r\/russeda01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">D\u2019Angelo Russell<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and his choice to accept or decline an $18.6 million player option.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Lakers News: D&#8217;Angelo Russell Decides on Player Option<\/b><\/h2>\n<h3><b>D\u2019Lo\u2019s Decision<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">NBA writer Jake Weinbach posted on X\/Twitter that the veteran guard will decline his option and enter unrestricted free agency.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">D\u2019Angelo Russell is expected to decline his $18.6M player option and become an unrestricted free agent this offseason.<\/p>\n<p>The Laker guard will be in the market for a long-term, lucrative deal after averaging 18.0 points &amp; 6.3 assists on 41.5% 3-point shooting this year.<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Jake Weinbach (@JWeinbachNBA) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/JWeinbachNBA\/status\/1788976546918576210?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">May 10, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Russell\u2019s second stint with the Lakers has been a mixed bag with his ability to show out in the regular season but flame out in the playoffs. This year was no different.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/nba\/lakers\/news\/dangelo-russell-sets-new-precedent-with-fresh-free-agent-contract-ak1987\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">signing a two-year, $36 million contract last summer<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, Russell had his best season scoring-wise with the Lakers. In 76 games, he averaged 18 points on 45% shooting from the field and 41.5% from distance. He also put up 6.3 assists, 3.1 rebounds and 0.9 steals per game. A rough stretch <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/basketballforever.com\/2023\/12\/24\/dangelo-russell-responds-to-benching-from-darvin-ham\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">sent Russell to the bench midseason<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, where he averaged 12.4 points and 5.4 assists across seven games.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When the Lakers matched up with the Denver Nuggets in the first round, fans expected Russell to redeem himself from a poor performance in last year\u2019s Western Conference Finals. While he certainly had some bright spots\u2014namely two 20-point outings on 50% shooting\u2014D\u2019Lo still <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/lebronwire.usatoday.com\/2024\/04\/26\/watch-dangelo-russell-gets-booed-and-stays-out-of-lakers-huddle\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">left a lot to be desired<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. He averaged 14.2 points and 4.2 assists on 38% shooting from the field, 31% from three and 50% from the charity stripe.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Russell\u2019s decision contradicts Jovan Buha\u2019s belief that the Lakers <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/05\/03\/should-the-lakers-move-on-from-these-two-starters\/\" target=\"_self\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">wanted him to opt in for a possible trade<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Though D&#8217;Lo <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/03\/28\/dangelo-russell-reveals-mindset-heading-into-free-agency\/\" target=\"_self\">previously expressed a desire to return<\/a>, he also noted he intends to use whatever leverage he has to sign a deal worth his while.\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This now leaves both sides with intriguing options going forward.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Next Steps for Russell and the Lakers<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Despite his postseason struggles, Russell is expected to have several suitors who need a scoring point guard. The main team rumored to have interest is the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bleacherreport.com\/articles\/10114981-nba-rumors-lakers-dangelo-russell-linked-to-magic-ahead-of-2024-free-agency\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Orlando Magic<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a young team with a bright future despite also losing in the first round. They reportedly have over <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/OMagicHQ\/status\/1787495578756125161\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$60 million in cap space to spend this summer<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and Russell could very well be one of their targets next to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/t\/thompkl01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Klay Thompson<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/m\/monkma01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Malik Monk<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Lakers, meanwhile, are a walking question mark when it comes to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/hoopshype.com\/lists\/lakers-offseason-primer-lebron-james-option-dangelo-russell-option-more\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">free agency<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Russell\u2019s decision\u2014along with <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/j\/jamesle01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LeBron James<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2019s\u2014could be the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/j\/jamesle01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">key indicators<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in knowing how much money LA will have to spend this offseason. Russell and the Lakers could still discuss another deal, and the team could re-sign him using his Bird Rights.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Yes, Lakers would have D\u2019Angelo Russell\u2019s Bird rights if he does not pick up his Player Option. However, they could run into some challenges with the 2nd tax apron, depending on what DLo\u2019s deal would look like &amp; what LeBron, Christie (RFA), Hayes, Reddish, Wood do <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/vPgueCsuFW\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/t.co\/vPgueCsuFW<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Trevor Lane (@Trevor_Lane) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Trevor_Lane\/status\/1751728922394230893?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">January 28, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Given the new CBA, the Lakers entering the second tax apron would place significant restrictions on their spending afterwards. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sportingnews.com\/us\/nba\/news\/nba-second-apron-explained-salary-cap-team-spending\/efo6htjzzmzrswoncvvlbmhi\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The penalties include<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> being unable to use the $5 million taxpayer mid-level exception, send cash in trades, or trade first-round picks that are seven years out. For a team that\u2019s willing to make win-now moves, they cannot afford to cross that line.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With Russell having made his decision and several teams trying to pry him away from LA, the Lakers should prepare to pay up if they want to keep their point guard.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As players begin to decide whether they want to test the waters of free agency, new reports have emerged about Lakers starter D\u2019Angelo Russell and his choice to accept or decline an $18.6 million player option. Lakers News: D&#8217;Angelo Russell Decides on Player Option D\u2019Lo\u2019s Decision NBA writer Jake Weinbach posted on X\/Twitter that the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4265,"featured_media":76936,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1608,26,62,3],"tags":[49059,307,38,297,4557],"class_list":["post-76933","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-basketball","category-lakers","category-nba","category-news","tag-2024-nba-free-agents","tag-dangelo-russell","tag-lebron-james","tag-nba-free-agency","tag-nba-offseason"],"modified_by":"Jordan Pagkalinawan","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/76933","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4265"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=76933"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/76933\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/76936"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=76933"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=76933"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=76933"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}