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Dave McMenamin, ESPN Workers Author
Los Angeles Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell plans to decide into the ultimate 12 months of his contract for $18.7 million, he advised ESPN a day earlier than the deadline for the choice.
Russell, 28, is coming off a powerful season for L.A. because of a second-half surge. He completed his ninth season with averages of 18.0 factors on 45.6% taking pictures (41.5% from 3), 6.3 assists and three.1 rebounds.
Russell, who discovered himself on the heart of commerce talks final season, made it clear that he intends to remain in Los Angeles and play for the Lakers’ new coach, JJ Redick.
“I really like what JJ is about and I actually see myself thriving below his steering to assist win at a excessive degree,” Russell advised ESPN on Friday evening.
Jaxson Hayes is also prone to decide into the ultimate 12 months of his deal, a supply conversant in the middle’s intentions advised ESPN, confirming information first reported by The Athletic.
Hayes, 24, got here to the Lakers final summer season after enjoying his first 4 seasons in New Orleans, signing a two-year take care of a participant choice on the second 12 months. The No. 8 total decide in 2019, he averaged 4.3 factors and three.0 rebounds in 70 video games final season.
The Lakers mentioned a Russell commerce with a number of groups final season, trying to improve the purpose guard place partly due to Russell’s struggles within the 2023 Western Convention finals in opposition to the Denver Nuggets.
After drafting Dalton Knecht with the No. 17 decide and Bronny James with the No. 55 decide this week, L.A. nonetheless has the flexibility to commerce two future first-round picks, which, paired with an expiring contract the scale of Russell’s, may result in a new-look lineup for the Lakers.
The Lakers changed Darvin Ham — whom Russell struggled to see eye-to-eye with at instances — with Redick at head coach for the reason that season ended with one other playoff loss to Denver.
Redick, an elite 3-point shooter throughout his enjoying profession, spoke about his want for extra 3s throughout the roster for subsequent season at his introductory information convention. It stands to cause he would worth the ability set of Russell, who broke the Lakers’ single-season 3-pointers made document final season with 226.
Russell’s plan to decide in was first reported by Swish Cultures.
