Lakers re-sign D’Angelo Russell to two-year, $37M deal
LOS ANGELES — The Lakers have re-signed starting point guard D’Angelo Russell to a two-year, $37 million deal to stay in Los Angeles, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Russell’s contract with the Lakers will earn him $17.5 million annually, a more favorable figure than the initial $20–25 million projections. This contract allows the Lakers to retain an above-average veteran point guard who complements LeBron James and Anthony Davis with his playmaking playing style and three-level scoring threat.
Russell was the best option for the Lakers regarding the affordability and availability of starting point guards on the free agent market with his similar value.
There weren't many players during this free-agency period who averaged 17.4 points and 6.4 assists while shooting 41.4% from deep, which Russell did in 17 games for the Lakers.
Without Russell, the Lakers wouldn't have come out of their Warriors playoff series, where he had crucial performances in Games 3 and 6. With a 23-point outing in Game 3 to put the Lakers up 2-1 and a 19-point performance in Game 6 to move L.A. to the WCF.
Russell was even more reliable in the Lakers series against the Grizzlies, with a roaring 31-point performance in their series-clinching Game 6.
