D'Angelo Russell's rookie season has been nothing short of a roller coaster, but the former No. 2 draft pick is finally coming into his own as a leader for the Los Angeles Lakers. The team beat the Brooklyn Nets, 107-101, on Tuesday much to the thanks of Russell, who put up 39 points. Since getting inserted as a permanent starter, Russell is looking the part of a future franchise star.
Russell started his tenure with the Lakers by getting benched several times by head coach Byron Scott. Now as a starter, the point guard is leading the team by example and it is paying off in wins. This is what the Lakers were hoping for when they drafted the former Ohio State standout. As they prepare to move past Kobe Bryant in the coming year, the development of players like Russell will go a long way in determining the future of the franchise.
"Everybody says that and it kind of gets old: Hard work pays off," Russell said. "But I'm kind of seeing it through my own eyes, and watching film and seeing what I could've done; and then I get the opportunity right away and it happened, and I fix what I didn't do and I see myself doing it. I can feel it and I can see myself getting better."
The Lakers will enter the offseason riding their young core group of players that consists of Russell, Jordan Clarkson and Julius Randle. Those three players represent the future of the Lakers and their play will determine who signs on in free agency. The Lakers plan on chasing big names like Kevin Durant and DeMar DeRozan, but if their roster is not made to win, neither star will sign.
Los Angeles does not have a roster full of stars right now. It has youth and one-year rentals, and it will be the youth that determine how free agency goes. Big names hitting the market will only be looking to sign on with teams who are built to reach the playoffs. The Lakers are not there yet, but if Russell and players like Randle can begin to really show signs of success, Los Angeles might look enticing enough.
Free agents like Durant are not looking for project teams, which the Lakers are right now, and sources report regardless of how improved Russell and Randle look, the team does not have a chance at signing Durant. With teams like Golden State preparing to make a run at Durant, the Lakers look less attractive no matter what.
