Los Angeles Lakers point guard D'Angelo Russell is preparing for an experience few will envy. Come the 2024-25 season, he'll be trusted to learn from past mistakes and thus help the Lakers contend—but no matter how well he plays, there's a strong chance he'll be traded.
While many would be mentally defeated before the season could even begin, Russell is showing remarkable poise under pressure.
The Lakers hosted Media Day on Monday, September 30, and Russell inevitably took to the podium. Mere days after JJ Redick quieted the trade rumors by expressing his belief that he can help Russell produce a career year in 2024-25, questions about what that might entail inevitably arose
When asked what it would mean to have a career year in 2024-25, Russell offered a surprising response, taking accountability for his lack of maturity and professionalism.
"I really want to apologize, in a sense of showing the lack of professionalism at times. Showing the lack of team-first perception at times. Just kind of keeping that maturity and that professionalism throughout the year, no matter the ups and the downs. Hold myself accountable on the defensive end. Obviously, I know I'm capable, but when you get subbed out of the game for an offensive or defensive possession, obviously that shows where the trust is in your ability. So for me, just trying to gain that trust from coach defensively."
Most would label their career year as their most productive campaign on the offensive end of the floor, but Russell is focused on being the best teammate that he can be.
D'Angelo Russell takes accountability for past immaturity
Russell could've easily entered the 2024-25 season with the wrong type of chip on his shoulder. He's coming off of a season during which he produced at an arguably elite level, but the former All-Star still struggled to find consistent playing time.
To make matters worse, Jovan Buha of The Athletic reported earlier this summer that the Lakers have been attempting to trade Russell since he accepted his player option in June.
Redick's comments have seemingly helped weather the storm, however, and Russell's response to that vote of confidence is refreshing. He isn't focused on proving that he can produce at an All-Star level, or determined to earn a specific accolade.
Instead, Russell is taking an introspective approach to identifying what went wrong in 2023-24 and has taken the first—and perhaps most important—step toward becoming a better player.
Russell certainly has a compelling platform to build upon after utilizing the 2023-24 season to reestablish himself as one of the most productive players in the NBA. He finished the regular season with marks of 18.0 points, 6.3 assists, 3.1 rebounds, 0.9 steals, and 3.0 three-point field goals made on a slash line of .456/.415/.828.
In the process, Russell joined Stephen Curry, Damian Lillard, and Kyle Lowry as the only players in NBA history to average at least 18.0 points, 6.0 assists, and 3.0 three-point field goals made on 40.0 percent shooting or better from beyond the arc.
Unfortunately, he was unceremoniously benched during the regular and struggled to find consistency in the playoffs. It's set the tone for yet another season during which trade rumors are certain to hang over his head.
Thankfully, Russell's first step toward addressing the Lakers potentially trading him is to look inward. It's a massive step toward the career year Redick is hoping to see from the 28-year-old.