Los Angeles Lakers guard D'Angelo Russell has emerged as an essential player for the team, particularly after returning via trade in February of this year. The impact is amplified when he struggles on the floor, as the Lakers tend to underperform in such instances.
Russell was selected by the Lakers with the 2nd overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, playing his rookie season in Kobe Bryant's final season in the league.
Following two lukewarm seasons in Los Angeles, Russell and Timofey Mozgov were traded in a 2017 NBA Draft day deal to the Brooklyn Nets. In return, the Lakers acquired Brook Lopez and the rights to Kyle Kuzma, the 27th pick in the draft.
Russell became the focal point in Brooklyn, earning his first NBA All-Star appearance in 2019. He was pivotal in guiding the team to an unexpected playoff berth the same year.
During the 2019 offseason, Russell was traded to the Golden State Warriors in a sign-and-trade deal that sent Kevin Durant to the Nets. His time with the Dubs was short-lived, as he was shipped midseason to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the deal that sent Andrew Wiggins to California.
Rusell would remain with the Wolves until earlier this year when he was sent back to the Lakers in the multi-team deal that involved Russell Westbrook.
Russell is the only Laker to play with Kobe Bryant and LeBron James in the purple and gold.
D'Angelo Russell Contract: $37 million
Russell recently signed a two-year contract worth $37 million to remain with the Lakers during the past offseason. The 2024-25 season is a player option for the former Ohio State standout.
Before this deal, the 6-foot-3 guard was playing on a max contract given to him by the Golden State Warriors upon his arrival on the team in 2019. The contract was worth $117 million for four years.
His rookie scale deal was a four-year contract worth $23,017,978, which was agreed upon with the Lakers in 2015.
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D'Angelo Russell Career Earnings
After the 2023-24 NBA season, Russell is poised to accumulate $155,945,859 in career earnings over nine seasons in the league, according to Spotrac.
This total solely includes his NBA salary and does not consider additional income from endorsements or deductions for taxes, agent fees, and other related expenses.
Following completing his current Lakers deal in 2025, Russell is projected to amass $174,638,166 in career earnings. He will be 29 years old at that point, positioning him favorably for another significant NBA contract if he continues to perform well.
D'Angelo Russell Salary 2023
Russell is set to make $17,307,693 for the ongoing 2023-24 NBA season, per figures from HoopsHype.
This is a pay cut from the $31,377,750 that he made in 2022-23, as well as the $29,331,375 average annual salary of his previous deal. He took a discount to remain in Los Angeles, as they could not afford to give him a contract similar to his previous one.
If Russell chooses to exercise his 2024-25 player option with the Lakers, he will receive $18,692,307 for next season.
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