Report: Lakers may be aiming to keep D’Angelo Russell

The Los Angeles are deep in trade talks on several fronts, and guard D’Angelo Russell has been among those discussed. But LA may want to keep him beyond the Feb. 8 trade deadline, per Jovan Buha of The Athletic.

That’s understandable. Russell has been very good lately — averaging 27.2 points and 6.4 assists over the last five games (entering Tuesday) shooting 56 percent from the floor and a sizzling 54 percent on 3-pointers. The Lakers have won three of six since Russell returned to the starting lineup, with LeBron James missing one of those games.

The Lakers reportedly have been discussing Russell in a trade with the Atlanta Hawks for guard Dejounte Murray, but it’s been said that the Hawks would only make that deal if they could flip Russell to a third team. 

Atlanta has shot down an LA offer of Russell, forward Jalen Hood-Schifino and draft picks for Murray.

“The odds of the Lakers keeping DLO are slightly increased because of how well he’s been playing.” –@jovanbuha on the Lakers Lounge (@AnthonyIrwinLA) pic.twitter.com/BlryqoCrCo

— Audel Del Toro (@CantBeatAudel) January 23, 2024

For the season, Russell is averaging 16.3 points, 2.7 rebounds and 6.1 assists, shooting 48 percent from the field and 41 percent on threes. He’s making $17.3 million.

He signed a two-year, $36 million contract with the Lakers last offseason and has a player option worth $18.7 million for next year.

The Lakers (22-23) are tied with the Utah Jazz for ninth place in the Western Conference and look very much like a team that is destined for the play-in tournament. They are hoping to change all that before the Feb. 8 trade deadline.