2023-24 Los Angeles Lakers Player Review: D’Angelo Russell

D’Angelo Russell was one of the key acquisitions in a 2023 trade deadline deal that radically changed the fortunes of the Los Angeles Lakers franchise. Russell was acquired along with Jarred Vanderbilt and Malik Beasley in a three-team deal that sent Russell Westbrook to the Utah Jazz, and the Lakers immediately began winning with their new additions at the helm.

Russell helped the Lakers reach the Western Conference Finals this season, but he was essentially eliminated from that series against the Denver Nuggets. That made his impending free agency all the more intriguing.

He tested the free-agent market but ultimately re-signed with the Lakers on a two-year, team-friendly contract with a player option after the first season. And Russell would certainly play like someone with something to prove in 2023-24.

He didn’t have the best first half, as lineup inconsistency and defensive issues plagued L.A. and even forced coach Darvin Ham to remove Russell from the starting lineup. Russell came off the bench for seven games before Ham reversed his decision, and from there Russell exploded.

Russell averaged 20.8 points and 6.6 assists on 43.0 percent from beyond the arc over the final 41 games of the season, a career-high for Russell and one that contributed to the most three-pointers in a season in Lakers franchise history.

Russell’s 41.5% from three on the season was easily the best of his career. And while he ultimately struggled again in the postseason in a first-round loss to the Denver Nuggets, Russell’s career year was not forgotten.

Key events 2023-24

Russell has had a ton of incredible performances in the second half of the season, but nothing compares to his work against the Milwaukee Bucks on March 8. The Lakers guard made nine 3-pointers and shot 17 of 25 from the field for 44 points and nine assists in a win over the Bucks that was, by any measure, one of the best games of Russell’s career, and it ended in a victory.

Outlook for 2024-25

Russell opted for a second-year deal with the Lakers, likely because of the dry free-agent market across the league. And while the Lakers certainly used his name in trade talks, they ultimately decided to stick with Russell, who is now in a contract year.

If he wants to earn another big contract, he will need to replicate his efforts from the second half of the 2023-24 season.

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