The Lakers had a rough start to the season, but now they're in for a sweet one. The injury problems in the squad have gradually eased, with some important players such as Vanderbilt andReddyEven after returning one after another, their return to the team has injected new vitality and strength into the Lakers. The Lakers have shown their high level of quality and proven their worth with back-to-back victories over strong playoff and championship-winning teams. In addition, the Lakers also performed well in the inaugural Mid-Season Tournament, where they had a chance to fight for the title and receive $500,000 per player. That's a significant amount of money for any player. Lakers StandingsWestern UnionFourth, they are currently in a stage of excellent performance, with the players within the team winning praise for their excellent and consistent performances, and the Lakers seem to be back on track.
However, the Lakers started guard De'Angelo Russell wasn't as happy as his teammates. He is now facing a situation where he could be traded, which has led to a very poor situation for him. In a game against the Pelicans, there was an impressive scene in the final garbage time, with teammates on the court such as LeBron James, Ryan Bloom, PrinceAudiKa and the others were all frolicking and having fun on the sidelines, looking very happy. Russell, on the other hand, covered his head solemnly and said nothing. This image makes people feel his unhappiness. Of course, no one knew what Russell was thinking at this time. In the past, he has been the most active member of the Lakers' atmosphere group. But this time, for Russell, perhaps because of his current predicament, he wasn't so excited. His future is up in the balance.
The reason for saying this is because Russell has not had a great run in the playoffs this season. He's inWestern Conference FinalsHe averaged only six points per game and few assists, and his offensive efficiency was low and his defensive performance was not outstanding. It was because of his series of poor performances that he went from a star with an annual salary of more than $30 million to a "premium" with a salary of less than $18 millionRole players”。In the eyes of the team's hierarchy, Russell is seen as needing to waive his trade veto, and at the same time, he needs to fight for his future. The Lakers are looking for a guard who can lead the team forward in the game, at least a player that the team can trust. The Lakers trust Reaves more than Russell, who has proven himself to be a player of courage many times. Although he was moved to the bench, he was usually able to play and play well in the most crucial moments. After Russell and Reaves' backcourt combination had problems defensively, while Russell started the game, in the eyes of many, the Lakers kept Russell in the starting lineup just to appease him while keeping him worth the trade. After all, Russell's poor performance in the playoffs was a sore point in his career. And this reset mid-season tournament can be said to be a "midterm exam" for Russell.
In the upcoming finals, Russell will face Bruce Brown, who had previously humiliated him. It's going to be a high-intensity, Finals-level matchup. It's also an opportunity, one that can turn Russell's future fortunes. If Russell can get out of trouble in this game, his future may still be in his own hands. However, if he can't get a good performance, then he probably won't be able to escape being traded.
Summary: The Lakers' recent good performance has led to a turnaround for the team, and the return of returning players has injected new energy into the team. However, Russell faces a dilemma and an unknown fate next. His trade value has been questioned due to poor playoff performance. In the upcoming finals, Russell will face Brown, who has humiliated him, in a pivotal moment that will turn his fortunes around. His performance will determine his future with the Lakers.