Lakers News: D’Angelo Russell Goes Off on Fans for Disrespect After 2023 Season
The Los Angeles Lakers completely changed around their roster once the 2023 trade deadline came around and GM Rob Pelinka was burning the midnight oil to try and get LA a new point guard. Kyrie Irving was the biggest name at the time but once the Dallas Mavericks got a hold of him, it came down to a package that would either bring in D'Angelo Russell or Mike Conley.
LA opted to roll with a familiar face in Russell and he returned to the same franchise that once selected him with the number two overall pick back in 2015. He had turned into a bit of a journeyman after he was originally traded from the Lakers to the Brooklyn Nets but once he ended up in Minnesota with one of his best friends in Karl-Anthony Towns, everybody thought this could be his home.
However, playoff struggles and reported tensions with new teammate Rudy Gobert let to the Timberwolves not being too keen on extending him and they instead sent him back to his original team. Leading up to that point, Russell was having a very solid year for them as he was averaging about 18 points, six assists and shooting 40 percent from deep on seven attempts a game.
Unfortunately, you are only as good as your last game and Dlo struggled mightily in that Denver Nuggets series in the 2023 playoffs. He recently appeared on Patrick Beverley's podcast and when Pat Bev mentioned how the former Ohio State guard was in the midst of arguably his best shooting season ever when the trade went down, Dlo did not hold back in speaking on how fans fail to recognize that.
"This might have been the best year Dlo ever had shooting-wise," said Beverley.
"And they ain't talking about it bruh," said Russell. "I don't understand, f**k I gotta do Pat. Y'all want me to play point guard, I played point guard. Y'all want me to play shooting guard, what y'all want from me? I shoot 30 from three, 40 from three, what y'all want? You want me to win a game in the last two minutes too? I'm just gonna stay humble."
(Via The Pat Bev Podcast)
Russell did re-sign with the Lakers on an interesting deal that is worth $36 million over the next two years and has a player option for the 2024 season. it is a very tradable contract so he'll need to prove that he can be their championship point guard.
Do not get me wrong, he was incredible when he first came in after the trade went down and LA likely doesn't make the playoffs without him.
However, everybody knows that respect is given in the postseason and if Dlo really wants to be recognized for his elite shooting and versatility, he'll need to show up when it matters most.
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