Los Angeles Lakers fans have been waiting for the confirmation of the contract extension of the two gems Austin Reaves and D’Angelo Russell. These two emerging stars helped the 17-time champions reach the conference finals. Even though D’Lo could not live up to expectations in the playoffs, especially in the Western Conference Finals. That led to the Denver Nuggets blowing the LA side away 4-0 in the WCF.
Since then, fans and experts have thought that GM Rob Pelinka would trade D’Angelo Russell to some team like Miami Heat or others in the offseason. That was the reason why D’Lo was an unrestricted free agent, whereas Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura were restricted free agents. Even in an interview, D’Angelo Russell stated that if he had to move out of the LA side’s roster, then he would love to sign with Miami Heat. But Rob Pelinka, along with the fans, perhaps was reluctant to let D’Lo go.
D’Angelo Russell Is Very Happy To Stay In Los Angeles
Like Austin Reaves, D’Angelo Russell, too, started his NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers back in 2015. Since then, he moved from the team to the Brooklyn Nets in 2017. Then went to different teams like the Golden State Warriors for a year and then moved to Minnesota Timberwolves. Finally, he came back home to the LA side last February. Hence, it did not feel right to lose D’Lo Russell again for the LA side’s front office. Later, heading toward free agency, Rob Pelinka re-signed D’Angelo Russell for a two-year contract worth $37 million. In reply, D’Lo aptly twitted a message, saying, “If I can not score, then I’ll contribute to the game with assists.”
Russell tried to explain that his game was not that complicated. The Lakers Faithful will hope that D’Angelo Russell gets back to the form he showed in the regular season and help the team go beyond the conference finals next year. On the other hand, the Lakers fans will see Austin Reaves back in purple and gold next season. He has been the top priority for the squad this offseason. Reaves was a restricted free agent. But the fans were afraid that other teams could offer him a better deal and steal him away from the LA franchise. But Rob Pelinka and company assured the fans that they would match up with any deal that came AR’s way.
Lakers And Austin Reaves Are Mutually Happy To Extend Their Contract
The Lakers couldn’t let the Oklahoma Sooners kid go away so soon. On top of that, Austin Reaves mentioned several times that he wishes to play for the team forever. He grew up watching Kobe Bryant and was a big fan of the Mamba and the Lakers. Hence, it has been a dream journey for AR to play for the Purple and gold army. Moreover, the LA squad was lucky to have him when the chips were down.
And Anthony Davis was looking for support on the court last season. And Reaves really blossomed into an emerging superstar for the Lakers in his second season. Hence, it was just and appropriate when the front office signed a four-year contract worth $56 million with Reaves. AR shared his reaction on social media, saying, “Lakers for Life.”