The trade that brought D’Angelo Russell to the Los Angeles Lakers has had an impressive start. In their first game together, Russell and LeBron James helped the Lakers secure a 120-102 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans. The three-headed monster of Russell, James, and Anthony Davis combined for 70 points on 25-of-43 shooting and all three players had a plus-14 or better rating.
Russell has proven to be a natural fit alongside James and Davis, even in the small sample size. The hope is that this will only improve as Russell becomes more comfortable within Darvin Ham’s system.
Speaking about Russell’s potential in the team, Ham praised his skillset and acknowledged the importance of Russell’s natural abilities in the Lakers’ offense. He believes that Russell can be a great pick-and-roll player and shooter, and can help the team by being assertive and playing within the flow of the game.
Russell is currently shooting a career-high 39.0% from three this season and is averaging 6.2 assists per game, despite not starting the season with the Lakers. The team’s scheme appears to be a better fit for Russell’s playing style, and his familiarity with the Lakers franchise, along with former teammates in Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt, should help him settle in quickly.
Overall, Russell’s fit with the Lakers has been impressive thus far. He brings a skillset that complements James and Davis, and the team is optimistic that he will continue to thrive in their system. With his ability to shoot the three, defer when necessary, and score in a variety of ways, Russell is a great point guard for Ham’s system and has the potential to help take the Lakers to the next level.
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