The LA Lakers ended their 2024 with some big decisions. D’Angelo Russell was traded to the Brooklyn Nets and, with this, he is now in the middle of a rebuild-centric team. He will get plenty of opportunities to play and shoot and boost his value. But we need to consider this: The athlete has been a decent distributor and playmaker out of the pick-and-roll. He has been a great three-point shooter in his career so far. However, these are often overshadowed by poor shot selection and, at times, a nonexistent defense both on and off the ball.

These shortcomings are partly responsible for his exit from the Lakers and also why he was traded to the Nets—a tanker in the weaker conference. This brought up some surprising questions. Was LeBron James behind this decision?

After all, former NBA champion Dwight Howard had sparked rumors, insinuating that James played a pivotal role in the deal. Howard, known for his candid takes, commented a day ago during a livestream, “LeGM made the decision. LeGM said it’s enough D-Lo.” His remarks fueled speculation that LeBron James’s influence on the Lakers’ front office was central to Russell’s departure. Despite these rumors, no direct evidence suggests that he had influence over this.

However, Howard’s words aren’t entirely unfounded. James has a track record of having significant sway within the Lakers’ decision-making processes. From advising on roster moves to pushing for the drafting of his son, Bronny, his influence is widely acknowledged.

Now Russell has spoken about his trade. Reflecting on the move, he expressed:

“I mean, just like getting traded anytime before that, you know, you got to adjust. So it has just been an adjustment for me. Learning the players, learning the coaching staff, learning Brooklyn’s new ways. Lot’s changed since I have been here. So just trying to adjust, jump right in with these guys,” he stated, as reported by Yes Network on YouTube.

“It’s a good feeling, honestly, to go back somewhere you’re comfortable, somewhere you know the ins and outs a little bit. See some familiar faces. It kind of makes the process a little easier to adjust to. So I’m just grateful for that.”

Russell’s trade was part of a broader move to reshape the Lakers’ roster. In exchange for Dorian Finney-Smith, the Lakers addressed gaps in their defensive and shooting capabilities. (The Lakers sent Russell, Maxwell Lewis, and three second-round picks to the Nets for Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton). These trades helped the team save $11.2 million in luxury tax payments even though the payroll was slashed by less than $4 million. It also gives them room to pursue more deals, like potentially adding Walker Kessler.

via Imago

Ultimately, the Lakers’ decision to move on from Russell wasn’t just about his play style; it was about roster fit. While one can’t say with too much confidence how LeBron James was involved, it will be interesting to see how Russell performs with the Nets. He previously played for the Nets from 2017 to 2019. But let us also look at his time with the Lakers.

D’Angelo Russell’s journey with the Lakers…

Back in 2015, D’Angelo Russell’s journey with the Lakers began. He was selected second overall in the NBA Draft. Despite the Lakers’ rebuilding phase, expectations for Russell were high. His debut season showed promise but was marked by inconsistency. In his rookie year, he set a high bar with a career-best 39 points against the Brooklyn Nets, breaking the Lakers’ rookie record for three-pointers.

Russell’s ability to shoot and make plays was evident and he finished the season leading all rookies in steals, earning NBA All-Rookie Second Team honors.

In 2016, he showed more flashes of brilliance, including a career-high 40-point game in a loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. He also became a more complete player, contributing to multiple facets of the game. However, injuries—knee and calf issues—interrupted his progress, limiting his appearances. Despite this, Russell’s potential as a scorer and playmaker was clear.

By 2017, after tensions with the Lakers’ leadership, particularly over his off-court maturity, he was traded to the Brooklyn Nets, marking the end of his initial tenure in LA. He then played for the Nets, made a brief stop to play with the Warriors, and then switched to the Minnesota Timberwolves, before landing in LA once again.

Russell’s second chapter with the Lakers began in February 2023, when he was traded back to the Lakers as part of a three-team deal. In his first game back, he scored 15 points and added six assists in a win against the Warriors. Russell’s impact in the 2023-24 season was significant, highlighted by a career playoff-high 31 points against Memphis. He continued to perform at a high level, breaking Lakers’ records for three-pointers in a season. In March 2024, he scored a season-high 44 points against the Milwaukee Bucks, proving that his time away had sharpened his game.

The hooper’s return to the Lakers marked a full-circle moment in his career, as he not only contributed offensively but also established himself as a key player in the team’s pursuit of championships. His second stint showed his growth from the young, inconsistent player drafted in 2015 to a seasoned, confident leader capable of performing on the big stage.