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D’Angelo Russell’s choice to decide in to his $18.7 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers does not imply he’s going to be on the crew when the 2024-25 NBA season begins.
Per The Athletic’s Jovan Buha, the Lakers are “anticipated to be aggressive” in exploring trades involving Russell this summer season.
Russell confirmed to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin he was opting into his contract.
The first concern for the Lakers proper now’s getting a decision to LeBron James’ state of affairs. He has a $51.4 million participant choice for subsequent season that should be selected by right this moment with free company set to start on Sunday.
If James opts out, which is predicted, McMenamin reported the Lakers are would supply him the three-year max contract he is eligible for in an effort to maintain him.
Assuming the Lakers retain James and together with Russell’s contract, ESPN’s Bobby Marks famous they’ll enter free company simply $4.8 million underneath the second apron earlier than doubtlessly paying to maintain Max Christie as a restricted free agent.
There could possibly be a big marketplace for Russell from groups that want a degree guard and miss out on one in free company. The Athletic’s Kelly Iko reported final month the Orlando Magic might pursue the veteran guard if he have been to decide out.
The Brooklyn Nets have been curious about a reunion with Russell at one level, however their choice to begin rebuilding after buying and selling Mikal Bridges to the New York Knicks for 5 future first-round draft picks, a choose swap, a future second-round choose and the expiring contract of Bojan Bogdanović may alter these plans.
Russell is arguably the Lakers’ greatest commerce asset now that he has determined to decide in. The 28-year-old will enjoying on an expiring contract and is coming off back-to-back stable seasons. He has averaged 17.9 factors on 40.6 % three-point capturing and 6.3 assists per sport in 147 video games for the reason that begin of the 2022-23 marketing campaign.