Lakers Trade Rumors: D'Angelo Russell Drew Interest from 'Several Teams' at Deadline

Los Angeles Lakers point guard D'Angelo Russell is staying put following the trade deadline, but he drew plenty of interest around the league.

Per Yahoo Sports' Jake Fischer, there were "several teams open to acquiring Russell at the deadline," but the 27-year-old's $18.6 million player option for the 2024-25 season held "negative value" for prospective suitors.

Russell has also gotten hot in recent weeks, in part prompting the Lakers to hang on to him. After a dull December, Russell is averaging 21.4 points per game since the start of the new year, becoming a clear third option to LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

Ultimately, the Lakers didn't make any moves before Thursday's trade deadline, though it seems they will be active in trying to land a player in the buyout market. General manager Rob Pelinka said hours after the deadline that the Lakers are eyeing the "best available player" on the market.

Los Angeles is looking for a midseason surge to ensure a spot in the playoffs. The Lakers sit in ninth place in the Western Conference at 27-25, but with a big second half, they could quickly move into the middle of the pack. A three-game win streak to start February has helped them climb some, and they'll be looking to continue winning after keeping the same roster after the deadline.

Last season, the Lakers faced a similar fate halfway through the season but managed to add a few key pieces around James and Davis that helped lead to a Western Conference Finals appearance. Now, Los Angeles will look to improve its roster through the buyout market to inspire a big playoff run.