Lakers guard D'Angelo Russell will determine trajectory of 2024-25 season

D'Angelo Russell is one of the most fascinating players in the NBA entering the 2024-25 season. The Los Angeles Lakers point guard is remarkably productive, but entering the final year of his contract, has been all but written off by the general public as a weak link.

Regardless of how fans may feel about Russell, the undeniable truth is that he's one of the most important Lakers players after Anthony Davis and LeBron James—both on and off the court.

Russell, 28, was acquired by the Lakers for a second stint with the team at the 2023 NBA trade deadline. He's since played 93 games with Los Angeles, including 76 during the 2023-24 campaign, starting all but seven outings during that time.

It's been a mixed bag of results, with tremendous production in the regular season and underwhelming showings in the playoffs.

For as troubling as that fact is, the Lakers will go as far as Russell enables them to in 2024-25—assuming Davis and James play as well as they normally do, of course. It's the daunting reality that has cast a shadow over the 2024 offseason in Los Angeles.

That can be attributed in no small part to the fact that Russell is one of the best guards in the NBA when he's on his game.

When it's good, it's great

Russell finished the 2023-24 regular season with averages of 18.0 points, 6.3 assists, 3.1 rebounds, 0.9 steals, and 3.0 three-point field goals made per game. He shot 45.6 percent from the field, 41.5 percent from beyond the arc, and 82.8 percent from the free throw line.

Russell also set the Lakers' all-time franchise record with 226 three-point field goals made, shattering the previous mark of 183 set by Nick Van Exel in 1994-95.

Russell was one of four players to average at least 18.0 points, 6.3 assists, and 3.0 three-point field goals made per game in 2023-24. The other players on that list were Luka Doncic, Damian Lillard, and Tyrese Maxey—all of whom were All-Stars in 2023-24.

Russell also joined Stephen Curry, Lillard, and Kyle Lowry as the only players in NBA history to average at least 18.0 points, 6.3 assists, and 3.0 three-point field goals made per game while shooting 40.0 percent or better from beyond the arc.

Furthermore, the Lakers were 4-1 when Russell scored at least 30 points during the 2023-24 regular season. Los Angeles was also 15-3 when he posted upwards of 25 points and 21-8 when he poured in a minimum of 20 points.

Perhaps most importantly: The Lakers were 20-9 when Russell attempted at least 16 field goal attempts, yet he was limited to 15 or less on 47 different occasions.

The ultimate x-factor: A potential trade

Despite the undeniable value that Russell brings to the table, his postseason woes have become the primary conversation regarding his future with the team. He boasts career averages of 14.2 points and 4.8 assists on .388/.327/.772 shooting through 32 playoff games.

That's the primary reason the Lakers have been attempting to trade Russell since he accepted his player option in June, per Jovan Buha of The Athletic.

That report exemplifies why Russell is arguably the most important player on the Lakers after Davis and James. When he's on his game, the Lakers are a legitimately elite team, with the pace set for 56 wins when he attempts at least 16 field goals.

The Lakers are a championship or bust franchise, however, especially with 39-year-old LeBron James still playing at an All-NBA level.

As such, a potential Russell trade would be equal in importance to his play on the court. The desire to find an improvement as far as postseason play is concerned is certainly understandable, but that comes with the undeniable fact that it's far easier said than done to upgrade over Russell.

Whether he's suiting up in the purple and gold or he's traded to a different team in 2024-25, Russell will be the determining factor in the trajectory of the Lakers' season.