D’Angelo Russell is currently under a 2-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. He was a key signing in the team’s efforts to preserve their core following last year’s unexpected surge. Despite being part of the Lakers’ plans, Russell’s name has consistently surfaced in trade rumors in recent days. Prominently, he is being posed alongside Dejounte Murray from the Atlanta Hawks in a potential exchange. Murray is touted to bring verticality, athleticism, and offensive prowess to the Lakers, all while maintaining a strong defensive presence. However, as of now, the rumored deal is steps away from being materialized.

Russell’s contract is a significant factor in these trade discussions. Last year, he waived the no-trade clause in his contract, leading fans to speculate that this paved the way for D’Lo’s potential exit. When questioned about it by Dave McMenamin of ESPN, Russell dismissed the speculations, stating, “I can’t control that my contract makes sense to be traded, so, just play.”

When asked about his decision to waive the clause, Russell straightforwardly stated that it made sense. Additionally, having commenced his NBA journey in LA, Russell asserted that he understands the trajectory for success with the franchise, emphasizing that his choice was driven by confidence and his aspirations.

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Waiving the no-trade clause allows the Lakers the flexibility to trade Russell at their discretion. If Russell had retained the no-trade clause, he would have had the authority to decline or specify his preferred conditions for a trade. However, teams typically incorporate the clause to demonstrate their commitment to a player, making it a rarity in the league.

D’Angelo Russell finds his stride again

As soon as trade rumors about D’Angelo Russell surfaced, the guard was luckily inserted into the starting lineup. As a result, he embarked on a 7-game stretch of averaging 27.1 points. With that, it seemed like the Lakers will put an end to the swirling narratives. However, when facing the Atlanta Hawks and Dejounte Murray, Russell experienced his worst game of January. He scored just 9 points while shooting 3-11 from the field.

the downturn in performance only fueled the trade rumors further. Despite posting multiple 16-point games in the coming victories against the East leaders, Russell faced scrutiny. However, exhibiting slightly improved efficiency, Russell appears to be regaining his confidence during the recent win against the Hornets. After a dominant first half, he racked up 28 points, leading the Lakers’ offense. Moreover, he came close to matching his season records, shooting 10-21 from the field (5-12 from three), nearing his averages of 46.5% from the field and 41.6% from three.

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With a current three-game winning streak, including a victory over the league-leading Boston Celtics, the Lakers are on a positive trajectory. Now, having concluded their last game before the trade deadline, they will return home to host the defending champions, the Denver Nuggets.