For the last month, the Los Angeles Lakers have been in complete collapse, dropping below.500 after losing 10 of their previous 14 games (19–20). The Lakers’ options for revitalizing the season are limited, as the trade deadline of February 8 approaches.
Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times pointed out that D’Angelo Russell’s $18.7 million player option is “expected to give teams pause” in trade negotiations, suggesting that options may be a little restricted owing to costly contracts.
“The Lakers’ senior players probably won’t attract much attention outside of the fact that a deal needs to be made in order for their contracts to be covered. Russell’s $18.7 million player option for the upcoming season is so large that clubs are certain to take notice. Gabe Vincent is owed more than $22 million over the next two years, while Hachimura has two more years at $35 million. Injuries have dominated both players’ seasons; Vincent has only appeared in five.”
In his 35 games (28 starts), he has shot 46.4 percent from the field and 38.5 percent from three-point range. After being traded to Los Angeles by the Minnesota Timberwolves in a three-team transaction that also included the Golden State Warriors, Russell arrived in the city.
