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Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
The Lakers will be over the salary cap and a taxpaying team heading into this summer unless Russell and LeBron James decline their player options and leave as free agents, which is unlikely, leaving Los Angeles the taxpayer mid-level exception and minimum salaries to fill their roster in the offseason.
When asked for his thoughts on his free agency future, Russell told HoopsHype he’d like to remain a Laker.
“I’d love to be here and continue to give it a run and be where my feet are now,” Russell told HoopsHype. “Obviously, I’ve been on the other side of it, and I’ve been through the roller coaster of free agency and having to sit back and wait. I’m looking forward to not having to worry about that. I’ve been blessed enough to put myself in this position with my play. I’m definitely planning on taking advantage of that. When that time comes, I feel that everything will play out how it’s supposed to play out.”
In addition to setting a new Lakers’ single-season record for 3-pointers made (192 and counting) this season, Russell has played well for the Lakers at the end of games when it matters most. Russell has made 37.5 percent of the Lakers’ clutch time 3-pointers, and the Lakers are also a plus-22.2 per 100 possessions with Russell on the floor during clutch minutes.
Should Russell decline his option and become an unrestricted free agent, the Lakers would seemingly want him back, given his strong play this season and the team’s little wiggle room to replace his production and projected salary slot otherwise.
Nonetheless, other teams may need point guard help heading into free agency with the financial ability to make something happen.
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