Pelinka decided to trade the Lakers, with an annual salary of 17 million and no contract extensions, James respects the decision!
After a tough game, the Lakers' six-game road record turned into a 4-2 run. Despite a mediocre performance on the road, the Lakers still won three straight games when everyone was not optimistic, and overall, they performed reasonably well on the road. As for the handling of injuries, only Vanderbilt, the main players of the Lakers, has been greatly affected, James and Bushy Eyebrows have time to rest, and most importantly, they still won. With an income of 17 million a year, a goodbye to Los Angeles is inevitable, but you gain respect.
In this game, D'Angelo Russell is definitely the most surprising, of course, James and Bushy Eyebrows. In the game against Golden State, he scored 28 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, hit consecutive three-point shots, and then beat the Hornets, he alone got 28 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists and 1 steal, which was also Russell's outstanding performance in this game, helping the team to a 4-2 record. Especially when James and Bushy Eyebrows did not play, Russell had 16 points, 14 rebounds, and 2 blocks, which was also a highlight of the team, and the reason why Russell was able to beat the Celtics was because of Russell's existence.
However, because of his excellent performance in the past month or so, he has not been weakened by injuries in difficult games, so Russell remains one of the Lakers' most important targets. With the Lakers visiting again and again, according to ESPN's Mike McNing, Lakers executive manager Pelinka has been busy all day, constantly calling the team for a possible deal. Dejounte Murray, Bruce Brown, Tyus Jones, Royce O'Neal, Finney Smith, Gallinari, and former Lakers coach Drummond all had brief contact with the Lakers when the deadline came. According to the source, during this period, the Lakers have been trading with the Nets, Raptors, and Hawks, of which Russell is an important weight for their trade.
All the evidence suggests that the Lakers are still desperate to make a significant move before the transfer deadline, and after beating the Hornets, the Lakers completed their final round before the transfer deadline, and there is some speculation that Russell will be the end of his career in Los Angeles. Whether Russell will stay or leave Los Angeles has not yet been determined, but in fact, such a situation is a very painful thing for any player, and judging from Russell's recent reactions, no matter what Russell's record is, no matter what his strength is, he will not be a part of the Lakers.
Although we can't influence the Lakers' decision, and we don't have the right to decide, to be honest, after more than a month of hard work, Russell has become an idol in the hearts of Lakers fans, and many people will regret Russell's departure when discussing Russell, after all, he earned it himself. After this excellent performance, Russell's individual score also increased from 15+6 to 173 points, 27 rebounds 62 assists 0Eight steals, three-point shooting percentage also increased from 38% to 416%, which shows how good Russell's form has been lately.
However, there is no way to do it, because of the contract, Russell is destined to leave since he signed the contract with the team. With a two-year, $37 million salary, a $17 million annual salary this season, and two years of options, this Russell has joined the Lakers. Russell is stuck in transfer rumors, while Reaves is being treated as a non-sale item by the Lakers, in part because of his contract. Obviously, Reaves' four-year, $56 million contract is a large long-term contract, so the Lakers are not worried about his future, and what they have to do is focus on him. But Russell is different, Russell has been playing poorly in the playoffs, then next season, his annual salary will reach 20 million, which will be a huge problem for the Lakers.
Russell continues to play, and he will definitely jump out and ask for a higher salary. It's also a terrible thing for the Lakers, as Russell's instability and his defense are mediocre. On the other hand, Russell has an unusual connection with the Lakers, he has been tormented by trade rumors twice, and no one is sure that Russell will leave and thus cost the Lakers that much of his salary. Whether it's from the overall level of the team or from the contract point of view, the Lakers can trade Russell.