No Takers! Has 28-Year-Old D'Angelo Russell Really Declined That Much?

In a recent podcast, renowned Lakers beat reporter Jovan Buha discussed the current state of the team. He revealed that ever since D'Angelo Russell exercised his player option on June 29, the Lakers have been actively trying to trade him. However, the situation is awkward as there have been no offers from any teams. Russell, who signed a two-year, $36 million contract with the Lakers last offseason, opted into his $18.69 million player option for the upcoming season.

In an era where massive contracts are common, a $18.69 million annual salary isn't particularly exorbitant. When Russell re-signed with the Lakers, many fans felt it was a steal, especially given his decent performance in the regular season. So, why is there no interest in him now?

Russell’s Regular Season Performance

Looking at the numbers, Russell played 76 games for the Lakers last season, averaging 18.0 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game. He shot 45.6% from the field, 41.5% from three, and 82.8% from the free-throw line, with a true shooting percentage of 58.8%. After being reinserted into the starting lineup on January 14, Russell played 41 games, averaging 20.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, 6.6 assists, and 1.0 steals per game. He also managed to hit 3.8 three-pointers per game at a 43.0% clip during this period. One of his standout performances included a game where he scored 44 points, grabbed 6 rebounds, and dished out 9 assists, making 9 three-pointers.

To put this in perspective, during that same period, only five players in the league averaged 20+ points while making at least three three-pointers per game at a 40% clip. Besides Russell, this elite group included Stephen Curry, Kyrie Irving, Lauri Markkanen, and Paul George – all star players. While three-point shooting isn’t everything, Russell's regular season was solid, and the numbers support this. The Lakers had a net rating of +2.6 points per 100 possessions with Russell on the court and -3.6 without him. His cumulative plus-minus was +184, second only to LeBron James (+218) and higher than Anthony Davis (+151).

Playoff Struggles

One major reason for the lack of interest in Russell is his performance in the playoffs. Against the Denver Nuggets, he averaged only 14.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game, with shooting splits of 38.4% from the field, 31.8% from three, and 50.0% from the free-throw line, resulting in a true shooting percentage of 48.1%. In Game 3 of that series, Russell had a particularly rough outing, going 0-for-7 from the field and 0-for-6 from three, failing to score a single point. Although he had a decent game with 23 points and 6 assists in Game 4, his overall playoff performance was underwhelming.

This wasn’t the first time Russell struggled against the Nuggets. In the 2023 Western Conference Finals, also against Denver, he averaged just 6.3 points on 32.3% shooting, including 13.3% from three. The Lakers were swept 0-4 in that series. Russell’s playoff inconsistency is his biggest flaw. He has the three-point shooting and playmaking ability, but his lack of stability and tendency to underperform in high-pressure situations make him less attractive to strong teams.

Market Conditions

Apart from Russell's own issues, the current market environment isn’t favorable for guards. The Wizards' Tyus Jones, known for his excellent assist-to-turnover ratio, has yet to find a new team. Similarly, Trent, a player capable of earning a full mid-level exception, only received a mini mid-level offer and eventually signed a minimum contract with the Bucks. While Russell might have $20 million talent, finding a team willing to offer a substantial contract in the current market is challenging. This is one reason he opted into his player option – a decision that now seems wise. If Russell had become a free agent, securing even a $10 million contract would have been difficult.

The Lakers’ Predicament

Turning to the Lakers, another factor complicating the situation is the team’s overall strategy. This offseason, the Lakers, Celtics, and Cavaliers are the only teams that haven't signed any new free agents. The Lakers' biggest move was re-signing LeBron James, followed by a four-year, $32 million deal for Max Christie and drafting two rookies, including Bronny James with the 55th pick – a choice criticized by many fans, analysts, and even NBA players.

Currently, the Lakers have 15 guaranteed contracts. After LeBron took a pay cut, the team is just $45,000 below the second luxury tax threshold. They cannot sign any new players and can only make consolidation trades (sending out more players than they receive) or trade players and draft picks to teams with cap flexibility. However, the Lakers have few positive assets. LeBron and Davis are untouchable, and the team won't trade their two rookies or Christie. The remaining tradable players – Russell, Jarred Vanderbilt, Gabe Vincent, and Rui Hachimura – have neutral to negative trade value, according to Buha. Some teams might be interested in one of these players, but few would want multiple, making it difficult for the Lakers to pull off a trade.

If the Lakers start the new season with their current roster, winning a championship will be tough. Given the current state of the Western Conference, it’s hard to see the Lakers defeating any of the top five playoff teams from last season.

D'Angelo Russell’s Future

Since entering the league, Russell has always garnered attention. He peaked during his time with the Nets, making one All-Star appearance that ended discussions of him being a bust. Over the past few years, Russell has maintained a starting level of play. However, his poor performance in crucial games has significantly hurt his value. Last year’s struggles already distanced him from a major contract, and many hoped he would bounce back this year. Unfortunately, his playoff woes continued, and the market conditions further reduced his value.

At 28, Russell should be in his prime, but his future remains uncertain. Where will he land next? Will he find a team that values his regular season contributions while mitigating his playoff inconsistencies? Only time will tell, but for now, Russell’s career is at a crossroads, and the coming season will be critical for his legacy and future opportunities in the NBA.