Lakers Rumors: D'Angelo Russell Targeted for Return on 2-Year, $40M Contract

D'Angelo Russell's dismal playoff performance will reportedly not hinder his long-term future with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports reported Russell and the Lakers are likely to agree to a two-year, $40 million contract when free agency begins Friday at 6 p.m. ET. The second year of Russell's pact might reportedly be a team option or non-guaranteed.

The Lakers acquired Russell for a second stint in Los Angeles at the trade deadline. He averaged 17.4 points, 2.9 rebounds and 6.1 assists while shooting 48.4 percent from the field and 41.4 percent from three-point range in 17 regular season games with the Lakers.

Those numbers took a major dip in the postseason, with Russell averaging just 13.3 points, 4.6 assists and 2.9 rebounds while making just 42.6 percent of his shots. The Ohio State product was particularly dreadful in the Lakers' Western Conference Finals loss to the Denver Nuggets, making just 13.3 percent of his threes and eventually being limited to 15 minutes in their Game 4 loss.

While Russell's playoff struggles are nothing new, he's a steady regular-season player who fits well with LeBron James and Anthony Davis. His ability to play on or off the ball can allow him to take primary ball-handling duties when necessary or act as a floor spacer when James or Austin Reaves brings the ball up the floor.

The Lakers have several questions to answer regarding their 2023-24 roster, with Russell, Reaves, Rui Hachimura, Malik Beasley and Mo Bamba set for free agency. Inking Russell to a deal—particularly a short-term one with team control—will help the Lakers focus their efforts on constructing the roster around James and Davis.