D'Angelo Russell Now Considered More Likely To Exercise $18.7M Option With Lakers
D'Angelo Russell has a player option for $18.7 million with the Los Angeles Lakers that he has yet to decide upon. Coming off a strong regular season, Russell was expected to test free agency, but the free agent market may be softer than expected given the financial constraints of the NBA's new CBA environment and he could pick up that option. If Russell picks up the option, the Lakers are expected to consider exploring trade possibilities involving 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."
If Russell becomes a free agent, Windhorst has also floated the possibility of LeBron James taking less money to allow the Lakers to use their full midlevel exception on the open market.
Russell, who is represented by Aaron Mintz and Austin Brown of CAA, averaged 18.0 points, 3.1 reboudns and 6.3 assists in 32.7 minutes over 76 games last season.