Going into the start of the NBA free agency period on Friday afternoon, the Los Angeles Lakers set out to keep as much of their core intact as possible.
Within a few hours, they achieved the first part of that objective. Forward Rui Hachimura, who was acquired in a January trade, agreed to a three-year, $51 million contract with them.
On Saturday, Austin Reaves, who was arguably their third-best player this past season and emerged as a legitimate difference-maker, came to terms on a four-year deal.
Los Angeles has now fully achieved its objective. Guard D’Angelo Russell agreed to a two-year, $37 million contract to remain in the Purple and Gold.
Free agent G D’Angelo Russell has agreed on a two-year, $37 million contract to stay with the Los Angeles Lakers, co-heads of @CAA_Basketball Austin Brown and Aaron Mintz along with Antonio Russell tell ESPN. Deal has player option. Lakers secure their starting point guard. pic.twitter.com/ScrZHD7Jio
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2023
Like Hachimura, Russell was acquired in a midseason trade, and he was one of the biggest reasons the Lakers went from a mediocre squad to one that looked nearly championship-caliber. He averaged 17.4 points and 6.1 assists a game while shooting 48.4% overall and 41.4% from 3-point range in 17 regular season games with them, and he had some strong performances in the first two rounds of the playoffs.
These new deals will allow the Lakers to return their starting backcourt from the second half of this past season while also sporting a fairly deep roster.
