Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
There is reportedly not a ton of trade interest around the NBA in Los Angeles Lakers guard D'Angelo Russell.
„If you want to look at potential trade scenarios, the strategy of re-signing D'Angelo Russell, a theoretical, tradable salary for $20 million, I don't see — and haven't heard from my calls around the league — a ton of interest in that trade chip coming back,” Jake Fischer said. „I don't know what the Lakers can do to improve this team if they don't send Austin Reaves out, and they certainly don't want to.”
After averaging 17.4 points and 6.1 assists in 17 games (all starts) with Los Angeles during the 2022-23 regular season, the Lakers signed Russell to a two-year contract extension in the 2023 offseason.
So far in his fourth season as a member of the Lakers, Russell is averaging 14.8 points, 2.9 rebounds and 6.1 assists per game.
Russell has missed three straight games after suffering a tailbone injury in the loss to the Lakers. Minnesota Timberwolves On December 30. He went 1-for-4 from the field with five points and three assists in 20 minutes against the Timberwolves.
The 27-year-old had his best performance of the past few weeks in the previous match on December 21 against his former team in the Timberwolves. First, he played well on the offensive end of the floor. 17 points and eight assists compared to four turnovers in 38 minutes of play.
But Russell made his presence felt on the defensive end, seeing how he racked up two steals and three blocks in a game the Lakers lost by seven points.
The Lakers have yet to win a game since Russell was sidelined with a tailbone injury. Lost to Los Angeles New Orleans Pelicans 20 points on New Year's Day, Miami Heat Between January 3rd and 14th Memphis Grizzlies By 14th January 5th.
Following their most recent loss to the Grizzlies, the Lakers own only the 11th best record in the Western Conference and are two and a half games behind Phoenix Suns to the No. 8 seed in the conference.
On the bright side, Russell's return to Los Angeles could be on the horizon. He is likely to play against the Lakers at home Los Angeles Clippers Sunday night.