Lakers Rumors: LA Has 'Very Strong Interest' in D'Angelo Russell Long-Term Contract

The Los Angeles Lakers have apparently liked what they've seen from D'Angelo Russell since acquiring him from the Minnesota Timberwolves ahead of the trade deadline.

The Athletic's Jovan Buha joined HoopsHype's Michael Scotto on the HoopsHype podcast and said "the Lakers have very strong interest in re-signing" the guard, who is scheduled for free agency after this season.

"I believe it's mutual on both sides."

Los Angeles landed Russell in a three-team trade with the Timberwolves and Utah Jazz in a deal that also saw Mike Conley go from Utah to Minnesota.

Buha pointed out the Purple and Gold perhaps could have brought the veteran to the team instead but viewed "Russell as someone who could be their point guard of the future and potentially that lead ball handler and third-star type of guy that could fit around Anthony Davis and LeBron."

This isn't the first time the organization viewed the Ohio State product as a key part of its future considering it chose him with the No. 2 overall pick of the 2015 NBA draft.

However, that didn't necessarily work out as planned, and the Lakers traded him to the Brooklyn Nets after just two seasons. He has since played for the Golden State Warriors and Timberwolves as well, but he may finally have more of a long-term home if Los Angeles does ink him to a bigger deal.

"I'm a grown man now. I'm not a child," Russell previously told reporters when discussing what will be different in his second chance with Los Angeles. "I'm just excited to showcase it."

The Lakers are 5-3 in the eight games he has played since the trade, and he turned heads against the New York Knicks (33 points, eight assists and five rebounds) and Toronto Raptors (28 points, nine assists and five rebounds) in back-to-back contests earlier this month.

Russell has assumed more responsibility with James sidelined by injury but figures to be someone who can take advantage of the resultant space when the King returns, given his 41.1 percent three-point shooting clip in his eight games with the Lakers this season.

That is the type of floor-spacing that was missing with Russell Westbrook, and it could make the difference both down the stretch of this season and in future seasons on a new deal.