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D’Angelo Russell’s decision to opt in to his $18.7 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers doesn’t mean he is going to be on the team when the 2024-25 NBA season begins.
Per The Athletic’s Jovan Buha, the Lakers are “expected to be aggressive” in exploring trades involving Russell this summer.
Russell confirmed to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin he was opting into his contract.
The primary concern for the Lakers right now is getting a resolution to LeBron James’ situation. He has a $51.4 million player option for next season that must be decided on by today with free agency set to begin on Sunday.
If James opts out, which is expected, McMenamin reported the Lakers are would offer him the three-year max contract he’s eligible for in order to keep him.
Assuming the Lakers retain James and including Russell’s contract, ESPN’s Bobby Marks noted they will enter free agency just $4.8 million under the second apron before potentially paying to keep Max Christie as a restricted free agent.
Bobby Marks @BobbyMarks42
Barring a trade, they will go deep into the second apron if they bring back restricted FA Max Christie.
Lakers will have a decision to make if Christie receives an offer sheet once free agency begins. https://t.co/4yrqMpAVT5
There could be a large market for Russell from teams that need a point guard and miss out on one in free agency. The Athletic’s Kelly Iko reported last month the Orlando Magic could pursue the veteran guard if he were to opt out.
The Brooklyn Nets were interested in a reunion with Russell at one point, but their decision to start rebuilding after trading Mikal Bridges to the New York Knicks for five future first-round draft picks, a pick swap, a future second-round pick and the expiring contract of Bojan Bogdanović might alter those plans.
Russell is arguably the Lakers’ best trade asset now that he has decided to opt in. The 28-year-old will playing on an expiring contract and is coming off back-to-back solid seasons. He has averaged 17.9 points on 40.6 percent three-point shooting and 6.3 assists per game in 147 games since the start of the 2022-23 campaign.
