Atlanta Hawks fans are not making trade deadline season any easier on D’Angelo Russell.
The Los Angeles Lakers guard Russell heard it from the crowd at State Farm Arena during Tuesday’s blowout loss to the Hawks. As Russell stepped to the line to shoot free throws in the first half, the fans got personal by chanting, “We don’t want you!”
That is a rather cruel reference to the trade rumors that have linked Russell to Atlanta ahead of the Feb. 8 trade deadline. The Lakers are in pursuit of Hawks guard Dejounte Murray, and Russell, who just began a new two-year, $36M contract, is part of the package that the Lakers have reportedly offered for Murray.
Of course, Atlanta would probably have little use for the former All-Star Russell, 28. Much like Murray, he is too ball-dominant to work alongside Trae Young and is also a poor defender on top of that. Hawks fans are well aware of that and let their feelings be known Tuesday (which actually was not the first time they got petty with Russell at the line over the years).
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