Earlier this season, the Los Angeles Lakers re-signed D’Angelo Russell to a two-year, $36 million contract. Russell was acquired by the Purple and Gold as a result of a three-team transaction involving the Minnesota Timberwolves, Utah Jazz, and Russell.
Russell played in 17 games for the NBA’s 2022–23 season, averaging 17.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 6.1 assists. He returned to the group following multiple rumours that the Lakers might trade him in the summer. Stephen A. Smith, an NBA commentator, believes that the 27-year-old is currently being paid too little.
“I believe he is being undervalued,” “Listen, D’Angelo Russell can play. D’Angelo Russell, with all of your histrionics on the Pat Bev Podcast, let me explain something to you bro. You are undervalued. You deserve more than a two-year, $36 million contract. Matter of fact, I’m of the mindset that you should be getting paid at least $25 to $27 million per year.”
Smith agrees that Russell is underpaid, but he also thinks that the 27-year-old’s subpar postseason play contributed to his current predicament. He said : “My problem with D’Angelo Russell is this stuff: When was the last time we saw you bro? You have any idea how god awful you were? Eight points, ten points, three points and four points in a four-game sweep at the hands of the Denver Nuggets, the eventual champions. “Do you have any idea, do you even realize that the Lakers don’t get swept if you, D’Angelo Russell, show up and you play better?”
.@stephenasmith believes D'Angelo Russell is undervalued 👀 pic.twitter.com/3TXi1XKnkl
— First Take (@FirstTake) August 3, 2023
In the 2023 Western Conference Finals, D’Angelo Russell averaged just 6.3 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game against the Denver Nuggets. One of the main causes of the Lakers being swept by the Nuggets was his lacklustre performance. Hopefully Russell corrects his shortcomings and emerges as a key player for the Lakers in the 2023–24 campaign.
D’Angelo Russell Discusses His 2022–23 Season with the Lakers Performance in-depth
A player seldom finds it easy to join a team in the middle of the season. Because of this, they have very little time to become accustomed to the players. In light of these elements, Russell recently asserted that his performance for the Lakers last season merited more praise. “They ain’t talking about it, Pat! The f**k I gotta do, Pat? You want me to play point guard, I played point guard. You want me to play shooting guard, what do y’all want from me, man? I’m going 40 for three, what y’all want man?”
Without Russell’s assistance, the Lakers would not have made it past the regular season with their 43-39 record and seventh seed in the Western Conference.