D’Angelo Russell: 2nd Lakers Stint ‘a Blur’, ‘Trying to Move Past’ it with Nets | News, results, highlights, stats and rumours

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NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 04: D'Angelo Russell #1 of the Brooklyn Nets in action against the Philadelphia 76ers at Barclays Center on January 4, 2025 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTICE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that by downloading and or using this photograph, User consents to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)

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Ahead of his first game against his former team since being traded last month, Brooklyn Nets guard D’Angelo Russell commented Friday on how his second stint with the Los Angeles Lakers played out.

Speaking to reporters ahead of Friday’s road game, Russell called his latest spell in LA “a blur.”

Dave McMenamin @mcten

D’Angelo Russell, ahead of the Nets, who play the Lakers tonight, called his second stint with LA “a blur.” While he said he appreciated his time with the Lakers, he added, “I’m looking forward to moving on” pic.twitter.com/TGV7wMdu7W

Russell said there is a “home” for him in Los Angeles and noted his appreciation for his time with the Lakers, but added that he is “trying to get over and trying to move past” that phase of his career.

On December 29, the Lakers sent Russell, Maxwell Lewis and three second-round picks to the Nets for Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton.

Russell began his NBA career with the Lakers in 2015 after they selected him No. 2 pick in the NBA draft and spent his first two seasons in LA before being traded to Brooklyn.

After two seasons with the Nets, which included his first and only All-Star selection to date, Russell had runs with the Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves. The Lakers re-acquired him in 2023.

In 2023-24, the only full season Russell played in Los Angeles during his second stint, he was a valuable tertiary scorer behind LeBron James and Anthony Davis, averaging 18.0 points, 6.3 assists, 3.1 rebounds and 3.0 three-pointers per game.

Russell largely struggled in 29 games with the Lakers this season, however, averaging 12.4 points, 4.7 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 1.9 three-pointers while shooting 41.5 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from beyond the arc, and was demoted to the bench.

With Russell no longer providing the same offensive spark he did last season, the Lakers traded him for a versatile defender and effective three-point shooter in Finney-Smith.

Because of the trade, Russell went from a 21-17 Lakers team that is in the middle of the playoff race at No. 6 seed in the Western Conference to a Nets team that is 12th in the Eastern Conference at 14-27.

The Nets are clearly trying to restructure their roster as they dealt Mikal Bridges to the New York Knicks during the offseason before trading away both Finney-Smith and Dennis Schröder this offseason.

Given that Russell is in the middle of the final year of his contract, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that he could be dealt again before the Feb. 6 trade deadline.

Regardless of where he ends up this season, the 28-year-old veteran will hit free agency this offseason, which could lead to him landing with his fifth different team during his 10-year career.