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By Dave McMenamin, ESPN staff writer
Los Angeles Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell plans to opt in to the final year of his contract for $18.7 million, he told ESPN the day before the deadline to make that decision.
The 28-year-old Russell is coming off a strong season with Los Angeles thanks to a strong second half, finishing his ninth season with averages of 18.0 points on 45.6% shooting (41.5% from 3-point range), 6.3 assists and 3.1 rebounds.
Russell, who was the center of trade talks last season, has made it clear he intends to stay in Los Angeles and play for new Lakers head coach JJ Redick.
“I love the way JJ runs things and I really feel like I can improve under his guidance and help win at a high level,” Russell told ESPN on Friday night.
Jaxson Hayes is also likely to opt into the final year of his contract, a source familiar with the center’s intentions told ESPN, confirming news first reported by The Athletic.
Hayes, 24, joined the Lakers last summer on a two-year contract with a player option for the second year after playing his first four seasons with New Orleans. The No. 8 overall pick in 2019, Hayes averaged 4.3 points and 3.0 rebounds in 70 games last season.
The Lakers have had trade talks with multiple teams about Russell to bolster their point guard position after he struggled last season against the Denver Nuggets in the 2023 Western Conference finals.
After drafting Dalton Knecht 17th and Bronny James 55th this week, L.A. still has the capacity to trade two future first-round picks, which, combined with an expiring contract worth the same amount as Russell’s, could give the Lakers a new lineup.
The Lakers hired Redick as head coach, replacing Darvin Ham, who had been at odds with Russell at times since their season-ending playoff loss to Denver.
Redick, who was a master of three-point shots during his playing days, said at his press conference that he wanted all players to shoot more three-point shots next season. It is only natural that Redick would evaluate Russell’s skills, who broke the Lakers’ single-season three-point shot record with 226 shots last season.
Russell’s plans to participate were first reported by Swish Cultures.
