The Los Angeles Lakers managed to re-sign D’Angelo Russell after the one-time All-Star agreed to take a pay cut to stay with the iconic franchise.
On Saturday, Russell agreed to a two-year deal worth $37 million to remain with the Lakers after he joined the team at the NBA Trade Deadline back in February. The 27-year-old - who LeBron James labelled a 'really good, shifty guard' back in February - reportedly has a player option for the second year.
The signing comes just one day into NBA Free Agency, which officially began on Friday afternoon. It was a frantic start to proceedings for the Lakers, who also re-signed undrafted star Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura before adding depth.
The Lakers acquired Russell at the deadline in a deal that included former MVP Russell Westbrook, and the trade ultimately helped turn LA’s season around. With Russell in rotation utilising his playmaking and three-point shooting ability, the Lakers reached the Western Conference finals where they fell to the eventual champion Denver Nuggets.
The Lakers’ ability to retain Russell is particularly remarkable given he has taken a pay cut of over $10m to stay in LA. The point guard signed a four-year, $117m contract with the Brooklyn Nets back in 2019, which gave him an average salary of $29.3m, and the Lakers were aware they would have to offer a new deal when Russell was dealt.
After the trade, Russell averaged 17.4 points and 6.1 assists while shooting 41.4 percent from deep. He had impressive moments in the Lakers’ wins in the postseason against the Memphis Grizzlies and Golden State Warriors - his former team - before struggling against the Nuggets.
The Lakers were forced to bench him in Game 4 of the Westen Conference finals - but he will return in a backcourt that now features former Miami Heat guard Gabe Vincent after he joined in free agency. The Lakers also added Taurean Prince, Cam Reddish and center Jaxson Hayes as well as re-singing Reaves.
Per Shams Charania of The Athletic, Reaves inked a four-year deal worth $52m - the full early-bird amount - that was offered before free agency began. It means the 25-year-old will remain in Los Angeles for the foreseeable future after he impressed immensely during the Lakers' postseason run.
Last season, Reaves averaged 13.0 points per game along with 3.0 rebounds and 3.4 assists on 39.4 percent from three-point range. He stepped up in the playoffs when the lights shone brightest, putting up 16.9 points, 4.6 assists and 4.4 rebounds over 16 games.
The signing of Hayes is an intriguing one given the Lakers have been chasing a backup big for Anthony Davis since Dwight Howard left the franchise. The 23-year-old spent his first four seasons with the New Orleans Pelicans after the team spent a first-round pick on him in the 2019 NBA Draft.
