Lakers’ D’Angelo Russell Exercises $18.7M Contract Option Ahead of NBA Free Agency

Los Angeles Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell accepted his $18.7 million player option for the 2024-25 season, avoiding free agency.

Russell told ESPN’s Dave McMenamin of his decision, citing new head coach JJ Redick as a reason he wants to stay.

“I love what JJ is about and I really see myself thriving under his guidance to help win at a high level,” Russell said.

Even though Russell sounds keen to stay in Los Angeles, his decision could lead to the Lakers trading him since they are pushing up against the second apron going into free agency if LeBron James exercises his player option.

Russell signed a two-year, $36 million contract with the Lakers last offseason after coming over via a midseason trade from the Minnesota Timberwolves. He averaged 18.0 points, 6.3 assists and 3.1 rebounds per game while shooting 41.5 percent from three-point range last season.

The season was, by all accounts, a regular Russell season. He was a good secondary ball-handler and shooter from distance while remaining an average-at-best defender whose commitment on that end was inconsistent on a nightly basis.

Still, Russell improved his shooting percentage across the board, thanks in large part to playing next to LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Most expected Russell to opt out for that reason and look for a long-term contract.

Russell is still just 28 years old and would have commanded a three- or four-year contract worth $20-25 million per season on the open market. The Lakers got a little lucky here that Russell.

The Lakers have been linked to Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young in recent months, and using Russell as part of the package makes some sense if they could build a package to make it work.