Despite all the talk and attention centered around LeBron James’ player option for next season and what he will decide to do with it, there is another very important Los Angeles Lakers player who is in the same situation right now.
Starting point guard D’Angelo Russell, just as James does, has until Saturday to decide whether to exercise the player option on his contract for next year. There have been reports over the last several weeks that have indicated he will likely opt out and at least test the open market.
One team, the Orlando Magic, has been rumored to have interest in him. However, the Magic may not offer him more than he could make with the Lakers.
While on ESPN’s “First Take” on Friday, Brian Windhorst said the chances of Russell opting in and sticking with his current contract may have increased due to a lack of a robust market for him.
“To be honest with you, I don’t have a great feel for what this is going to be,” said Brian Windhorst on First Take. “I thought maybe a month or so ago, D’Angelo would opt out. Now, I think there’s a chance, a stronger chance he will opt in, because the market isn’t looking so great right now. We can talk about that later, but I’m now kind of leaning that direction.”
Russell averaged 18.0 points and 6.3 assists a game while shooting a career-high 41.5% from 3-point range this season. However, he continued to struggle in the playoffs as L.A. lost in five games in the first round to the Denver Nuggets.
As Windhorst pointed out, if Russell stays with the Lakers, either by opting in or signing a new deal, it looks like they will look to trade him, either this summer or before next season’s trade deadline.