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D’Angelo Russell, former OSU star, reportedly reaches decision in free agency
By Paul Harvey
Published:
D’Angelo Russell spent the final stretch of the 2022-23 NBA season with the Los Angeles Lakers after being traded by the Minnesota Minnesota Timberwolves. Now, Russell is reportedly returning once again to the franchise that drafted him out of Ohio State.
According to NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski, Russell is signing a 2-year $37 million deal to return to Los Angeles. The 2nd year contains a player option per the report.
D’Angelo Russell returning to Lakers on 2-year, $37M deal – via @ESPN App https://t.co/7nfF0FgiJm
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2023
In 17 regular-season games for the Lakers, Russell averaged 17.4 points, 6.1 assists and 2.9 rebounds while shooting 48% from the floor and 41% from 3-point range. Unfortunately, he averaged just 13.3 points per game and 31% shooting from deep in 16 playoff games.
Despite those postseason struggles, the Lakers apparently saw enough to bring Russell back as a key piece of the lineup. The franchise originally drafted Russell No. 2 overall in the 2015 NBA Draft.
In 8 NBA seasons, Russell has averaged 17.7 points, 5.7 assists and 3.5 rebounds while shooting 36% from 3-point range. While at Ohio State, Russell was a consensus All-American and the B1G’s Rookie of the Year for the 2014-15 season.
Paul is a lifelong fan and student of all things college football. He has been covering college football since 2017 and the B1G since 2018.