D’Angelo Russell likely to become free agent?

May 6, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell (1) moves the ball up court against the Golden State Warriors during the first half in game three of the 2023 NBA playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

D’Angelo Russell is likely to become a free agent after this season, according to one reporter.

Russell signed a 2-year, $36 million deal with the Los Angeles Lakers last summer. He is making $17.3 million this season and has an $18.7 million option for next season.

On Friday’s episode of his “Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective” show, Windhorst and his co-hosts were talking about the Lakers. Around the 40-minute mark, Windhorst said “it’s likely” that Russell will opt out of his contract.

Russell has until June 29 to decide whether he will exercise his $18.7 million option for next season. Windhorst says that LeBron James will also likely opt out and seek a raise from the team.

The timing of Russell’s extension deadline makes it so that Windhorst believes it will be difficult for the team to trade him.

Russell was acquired by the Lakers last year in a trade with the Timberwolves. He averaged 18.0 points and 6.3 assists per game during the regular season, while making 41.5 percent of his three-point attempts. However, his 6/20 shooting performance in Game 1 against the Nuggets and goose-egg in a Game 3 loss hasn’t sat well with Lakers fans.

At this point, the fans probably wouldn’t be sad if he left.

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