The Los Angeles Lakers have big plans for the free agency window this summer. They have already snapped up Anthony Davis, and it doesn’t look like they will stop anytime soon. They are now looking to add a third All-Star, D’Angelo Russell, to their roster using the little cap space they have left.
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D’Angelo Russell and LA Lakers reunion?
The reports of a possible reunion between D’Angelo Russell and the Lakers have picked up steam of late. The Brooklyn Nets are apparently going to make Russell an unrestricted free agent once they sign Kyrie Irving.
The Nets are considering the idea of signing Irving and letting Russell go if Kevin Durant doesn’t agree to play for the Nets. The possibility that Russell becomes a free agent is thus still open.
Mutual interest between Russell and LA Lakers
It has only been two years since the Lakers traded Russell to Brooklyn, just two years after he was the no. 2 pick in the 2015 draft. The trade was a controversial one- mired with the scandal that arose when Russell posted a Snapchat video of his teammate Nick Young admitting to cheating on his fiance Iggy Azalea.
Fred Roggin of the NBC reports that Russell and the Lakers are scheduled to meet soon to discuss a possible contract.
According to sources..#Lakers set meeting with D’Angelo Russell. Club working towards setting meetings with defensive specialist and a lights out shooter also has interest. To be continued….
— Fred Roggin (@FredNBCLA) June 25, 2019
The 23-year-old Russell had a breakout season in 2018-19, averaging 21.1 points and 7 assists and making the All-Stars. Lakers president Magic Johnson told The Athletic that he finally believes that Russell is “ready,” and is a much more mature player now.
A max contract for Russell would be around $27 million. While there is still debate on exactly how much cap space the Lakers will have left once the deal for Anthony Davis is concluded, the franchise is confident that they can get the signing of D’Angelo Russell over the line.