Lakers Insider: D'Angelo Russell Makes Some Sense for Magic, Spurs amid Contract Buzz

The Orlando Magic and San Antonio Spurs could be among the teams that express interest in D'Angelo Russell if he explores free agency this summer.

Jovan Buha of The Athletic identified Orlando and San Antonio as the Lakers' top competition for the veteran guard.

Russell signed a two-year, $36 million with the Lakers last offseason. The deal carries a player option for the 2024-25 season, but most expect him to opt out and explore free agency after failing to secure a long-term deal a year ago.

Russell averaged 18.0 points, 6.3 assists and 3.1 rebounds per game while shooting a career-high 41.5 percent from three-point range. While he did not reinvent the wheel in terms of his performance, Russell has looked comfortable playing alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis as a floor spacer and secondary ball-handler.

Unfortunately, Russell's performance did not carry over to the postseason, where he once again struggled. Russell shot just 38.4 percent from the field in the Lakers' first-round loss to the Denver Nuggets, continuing a career-long trend of playoff failures.

Russell likely cost himself some money against Denver, but Orlando and San Antonio have plenty to spare. Both are rising young teams that need steadiness in the backcourt, particularly when it comes to shooting. The Magic made the playoffs despite being one of the NBA's worst three-point shooting teams, while the Spurs spent part of their year with Jeremy Sochan playing out of position at point guard.

The Lakers essentially bid against themselves last summer negotiating with Russell, but they won't have an easy time this go around.