D’Angelo Russell set for free agency; Top 5 landing spots
LOS ANGELES (BVM) – With the NBA free agency period on the horizon, one of the more notable guards who is available this offseason is D’Angelo Russell. Although he’s spent time with four teams across eight seasons, the veteran guard is still just 27 years old, and remains a quality starting point guard option in the league.
Russell began the 2022-23 season playing for the Minnesota Timberwolves, a franchise he had been with since 2019 and averaged 18.5 points for across parts of four seasons. At last season’s trade deadline, Russell was dealt to the Los Angeles Lakers, the same organization that drafted him No. 2 overall in 2015.
With Los Angeles, Russell was solid down the stretch of the regular season, averaging 17.4 points and 6.1 assists while shooting 48% from the field, and 41% from 3-point range. However, Russell’s struggles during the Lakers’ run to the Western Conference finals were evident, as his shooting dipped to 42%, and just 31% from beyond the arc. His inefficiency often led to him cede playing time down the stretch to the likes of Austin Reaves and Dennis Schroder, particularly in the conference finals where Russell only scored around six points per game.
Yet, Russell is still someone capable of playing at an All-Star level as he proved earlier in his NBA career with the Brooklyn Nets and Golden State Warriors. Now, the question is if he will return to the Lakers, or if he will be playing for his fifth NBA franchise in 2023-24. Here are five potential landing spots for Russell in free agency.
