Now that the season is over for the Los Angeles Lakers, it’s time for their fans to point their fingers at who they think did not do enough to help LA in the playoffs.
Veteran point guard D’Angelo Russell appears to be someone who’s gotten the ire of many Lakers supports in large part because of his inconsistent play in the first round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs versus the reigning NBA champions Denver Nuggets.
D’Angelo Russell on Offseason Plans After Los Angeles Lakers’ Game 5 Loss to the Nuggets
Following the Lakers’ brutal 108-106 loss in Denver on Monday, Russell said that there’s nothing concrete yet at the moment about what his offseason would look like, which is understandable considering Los Angeles’ season had just ended.
Via Jovan Buha of The Athletic:
D’Angelo Russell said he hasn’t thought about what he’s going to do this offseason but he acknowledges that he has leverage and is planning on using it.
“lol what leverage??? he’s a total brick in the playoffs what do we need a regular season player for???????” a flabbergasted @karimo714 commented.
“You need to do more than that.. You need to learn not to shrink under pressure, bro,” voiced out @BballMamba.
From @Mzndoza: “What leverage? He didn’t do anything when it mattered two years in a row. If he wants to win then no he has no leverage.”
“LOL. Leverage yourself to another team, please,” fired @TylerDavis93.
“ya gone buddy i’ll personally pack your bags,” said @Jxniixr_.
The leverage Russell could be talking about is the player option he has for the 2024-25 NBA season which is worth $18.69 million. The deadline for him to decide is on June 29, so he’s got a lot of time to think about it and consider any offers he’d get from the free agent market.
In what could be his last game in a Lakers uniform, Russell scored 14 points on 6/15 shooting from the field and 2/10 from behind the arc with six assists and a rebound in 39 minutes in Game 5 of the Nuggets series.
For More NBA And College Basketball Content:
Follow me on X (formerly Twitter) at @Rexwell14. Also, do not forget to follow us @HardwoodHeroics for even more great basketball content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in the NBA, college basketball, and the WNBA, especially with the 2024 NBA Playoffs now here and NCAA hoops offseason in full swing, click here!
