D'Angelo Russell’s recent surge highlights Lakers' unsteady season

The Los Angeles Lakers are navigating yet another turbulent season, and D’Angelo Russell’s role within the team remains a focal point of discussion.  

The 28-year-old guard has long faced scrutiny for inconsistent performances and defensive lapses. Those concerns culminated in early November when head coach JJ Redick made a bold move, shifting Russell out of the starting lineup.

Since then, the former second overall pick has shown flashes of improved play as a sixth man, providing a boost off the bench before enduring another slump. Recently, however, his form has rebounded. 

Starting with a 16-point outing against the Phoenix Suns on Nov. 26 —albeit on inefficient shooting — Russell has delivered six double-digit scoring games in his last seven appearances.  

During this stretch, his production has been critical for a Lakers team struggling for consistency. The 6-foot-3 guard has averaged 16.9 points, 3.6 rebounds and 5.4 assists while shooting an impressive 50 percent from the field and 45.5 percent from three-point range on 6.3 attempts per game.  

Statistically, he has become the Lakers’ fourth-best scoring option overall, trailing only LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Austin Reaves. His recent hot streak peaked with a season-high 28-point performance against the Portland Trail Blazers last time out, a game where he also recorded 14 assists to just two turnovers.

However, Russell’s resurgence has not translated to team success. During this productive run, the Lakers are just 3-5, part of a larger 3-7 slide over their last 10 games. 

The inconsistent results have dropped the team to 13-11, leaving it in eighth place in the Western Conference — once again hovering in the precarious play-in tournament zone.  

Injuries temporarily returned Russell to the starting lineup for games against the Minnesota Timberwolves and Miami Heat, but he has since resumed his bench role. The playmaker has previously embraced the shift publicly, expressing a team-first mentality.  

"I just wanted to win. So whatever it took, change of plans, whatever it is, whatever Coach needs, try to get the win and be a part of that," Russell said after the Lakers’ victory over Philadelphia on Nov. 8, via Dave McMenamin of ESPN.

Still, Russell’s long-term future in Los Angeles remains uncertain. With an expiring $18.6 million contract, he is a prime candidate to be moved before February’s trade deadline. 

The Lakers front office, led by general manager Rob Pelinka, may see Russell’s improved form as an opportunity to enhance his trade value. For a franchise desperate to maximize LeBron James’ remaining years, leveraging the veteran guard's contract could be key to retooling the roster.  

Whether Russell stays or goes, his recent uptick in production offers a silver lining in an otherwise frustrating season. For Pelinka and the Lakers, the timing of his resurgence couldn’t be better as trade talks loom on the horizon.