It is not often that people are given a second chance in life. Most that are try to take advantage of it. Unfortunately, D'Angelo Russell did not make good on the extra opportunity he was given with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Everyone knows the Russell was originally selected second overall by the Lakers in the 2015 NBA Draft. His first stint with the organization proved to be a massive disappointment that finished with a pretty awkward situation for everyone involved. The lefty point guard was traded to the Brooklyn Nets as a result.
Russell failed again and it should not surprise anyone
Russell blossomed into an All-Star with the Nets before solidifying himself as a solid starting guard in the NBA. The 10-year pro bounced around his fair share of spots in the league, but he was relatively solid and productive with each of those teams.
The Lakers took a chance and brought Russell back to Los Angeles in the 2022-23 season. Initially, there was some promise with his performances in Tinseltown. Russell was not quite the third star the Lakers needed behind Anthony Davis and LeBron James. However, he could fill that void on enough occasions. It helped the Lakers reach the Western Conference Finals during his first year back with the team.
There is no need to go into the full story here as anyone who has kept up with the team knows the initial optimism around Russell's return proved to be fool's gold. The veteran guard found himself shipped away during the 2024-25 season in the trade that brought Dorian Finney-Smith to the Lakers.
There is no doubt about the fact that Los Angeles is one of the toughest places to play in the NBA. The media scrutiny and passionate fandom make it an environment that not every player can deliver their best. Where some will thrive under the pressure, others will fold like a deck of cards. Russell proved to be the latter.
A recent quote from a Nets press conference offered some excellent insight into why the newest Brooklyn guard was just not cut out for the Lakers.
"I'll never take being able to play free basketball like this for granted again."D'Angelo Russell
Unfortunately for Russell, it sounds like being under the microscope in Los Angeles may have been more than he could handle. His numbers really took a nose dive this season, averaging a measly 12.4 points and 4.7 assists while shooting 41.5 percent from the field with the Lakers in 2024-25.
In the best interests of both parties, the second attempt at a mutually beneficial partnership was put to an end. The Lakers have been fortunate to have situations like Dwight Howard's go their way, in terms of having the player involved make the most of their second stint with the team. This go around with Russell simply did not have the same happy ending.