D’Angelo Russell finds himself once again grappling with the shadows of his past. Last season, as the Denver Nuggets swept the Lakers in the Western Conference finals, D’Lo averaged only 6.3 points in the series. It’s the same story this season. He went 1-of-9 from behind the arc in Game 1. However, Game 3 might have been his worst playoff game ever. Russell went scoreless, connecting 0-of-7 from the field and 0-of-6 from beyond the arc in 24 minutes of action. But what made things worse were his antics during the game.

At one point in the game, cameras caught Russell scrolling on his phone while munching on a snack, completely checked out during a team huddle. Subsequently, he is now under fire for his shocking behavior during a crucial game. In a recent episode of Get Up, Jay Williams did not mince his words as he slammed D’Lo for his apparent lack of commitment.

“When you have zero points in a ball game and I don’t know if he is on the cell phone. I don’t know if he is eating snacks. I don’t know what the hell it is…For D’Angelo Russell to check out of a game that way and not even be involved in a team huddle gives me major concern,” said the former point guard.

While it is unclear whether his decision to not join the team huddle was intentional, frustration could have been a factor. After a poor shooting night in Game 1, he bounced back with 23 points and 6 assists in 38 minutes of playing time during Game 2. Following the matchup, he revealed his hope to carry his momentum forward. Instead, he finished with zero points and was eventually benched after a scoreless first half as the Lakers lost 105-112 to the Nuggets. This could probably explain why he was disinterested in the last moments of the game. Or could there be something more to it?

D’Angelo Russell’s future with the Lakers hangs in the balance

Last offseason, Russell signed a two-year, $36 million deal with the Purple and Gold, including an $18.7 million player option in the second year. As per ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, it’s “likely” that Russell will turn down his player option for next season to test free agency. Regardless of his decision, Russell’s tenure with the Lakers appears uncertain, especially if they falter once more against the Denver Nuggets. “I want everybody pulling in the same direction and when things get hard if you’re not willing to lean in more, I can’t have you be a part of what we’re trying to build,” added Williams.

The aftermath of last season’s playoff debacle had the front office keen on trading him, but with both parties failing to find a better alternative, he resigned. This season again, D’Lo was linked to basically every trade the Lakers explored. According to The Athletic’s Jovan Buha, the Lakers’s initial offer to the Hawks for Dejounte Murray was Russell, rookie guard Jalen Hood-Schifino, a 2029 first-round pick, and additional draft compensation. But Atlanta had no interest in taking back Russell.

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