Brian Windhorst: D’Angelo Russell Will Likely Decline Player Option With Lakers This Summer

Russell would become an unrestricted free agent.

“I think almost certainly he will not pick up the option,” Windhorst said on his podcast. “You work your whole life to be coming off a great season and being unrestricted.”

Russell is averaging 18.2 points, 3.1 rebounds and 6.3 assists this season for the Lakers while shooting 45.9% from the field, 41.9% from beyond the arc and 82.1% from the free-throw line. 

The Lakers almost traded Russell at this year’s NBA trade deadline, but the front office decided not to make any moves. 

“It’s definitely pressure,” Russell said when asked what it’s like playing in a potential contract season, via NBA reporter Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. “It’s something that can eat a lot of people up in the league. A lot of people can be too high at times and too low at times, which causes an emotional roller coaster through the ups and downs of the season. For me, I wanted to control that. I wanted to stay sane and stay even-keeled through the ups and the downs.”

The Lakers are in ninth place in the Western Conference standings with a record of 45-34.

Russell told Scotto he would like to remain with the Lakers. 

“I’d love to be here and continue to give it a run and be where my feet are now,” Russell said. “Obviously, I’ve been on the other side of it, and I’ve been through the roller coaster of free agency and having to sit back and wait. I’m looking forward to not having to worry about that. I’ve been blessed enough to put myself in this position with my play. I’m definitely planning on taking advantage of that. When that time comes, I feel that everything will play out how it’s supposed to play out.”