D’Angelo Russell happy to be back with Nets, says he was ‘a little traumatized’ with Lakers

During an interview with NBA reporter Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, D’Angelo Russell said he’s happy to be back with the Brooklyn Nets. 

The Ohio State product revealed he was “a little traumatized” with the Los Angeles Lakers. 

“It’s great,” Russell said. “I would never take it for granted, coming from where I came from. Obviously, I was a little traumatized there. To be here and get the opportunity to just be me where there’s familiarity as well is just icing on the cake. I’m at the point in my career where I’m not going out and scoring 25 points every night and wowing with numbers. It’s a point where I’m trying to gravitate towards doing it the right way, and how I can contribute to winning is my priority. He (Jordi Fernandez) lets me do that. He trusts me already, so I can imagine getting to training camp for something like that and having that under my belt with the guys. I think the sky’s the limit.”

This is Russell’s second stint with the Nets. He played for Brooklyn in 2017-18 and 2018-19 before getting traded to the Golden State Warriors in the blockbuster Kevin Durant sign-and-trade deal. 

Russell has played for the Lakers (twice), Nets (twice), Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves. He has career averages of 17.4 points, 3.4 rebounds and 5.7 assists. 

“Yeah,” Russell said when asked by Scotto if he wants to return to the Nets next season. “Why wouldn’t I? I keep seeing stuff coming out. I’ll tell you. Heck yeah. I want to be wherever I’m at. I’m here. I love these guys. I appreciate this, and I would love to be back.”

Russell becomes an unrestricted free agent this offseason. The lefty was the second overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft.

Russell has played in 32 postseason games with the Lakers, Nets and Timberwolves, averaging 14.2 points, 2.9 rebounds and 4.8 assists while shooting 32.7% from 3.