D’Angelo Russell was eventually traded to the Brooklyn Nets by the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Dorian Finney-Smith. Despite Russell’s struggles during the Lakers’ 2024–25 season, head coach JJ Redick said in his press conference prior to Tuesday’s game against the Cleveland Cavaliers that they will miss some parts of his game.
Despite his difficulties, Russell was still one of the Lakers’ top playmakers and ball handlers. They will undoubtedly miss that since they didn’t receive a substitute for him in this deal.
Redick said, “Loved coaching DLo. I told you guys this before, I spent more time with that guy and on the phone this summer, on the golf course. I told him many times that I want a great outcome for him and I’m hoping he has a great rest of the year. We’re gonna miss his playmaking. We’re gonna miss his ball-handling, We’re gonna miss his shooting. He’s had several games, including recently the second game in Sac (Sacramento), the Portland game here, where we don’t win those games without him.”
In the games Redick described, Russell did make an impression. In the 103-99 victory over the Sacramento Kings on December 21, the 28-year-old finished with 20 points (7-13 FG), four rebounds, and five assists. On December 8, Russell was even more impressive as he led the Lakers to a 107-98 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers with 28 points (9-17 FG), five rebounds, 14 assists, and a steal. Without him, they most definitely wouldn’t have won these two games.
JJ Redick Will Have A Tough Road Ahead With Injury-Driven Squad
Russell was crucial to the Lakers’ guard rotation and had been playing a significant role before his departure, despite what some people may have thought of him. Due to an oblique injury, Gabe Vincent was eventually unable to play in Tuesday’s Lakers game against the Cavaliers. The Lakers don’t have much depth in the backcourt because Max Christie and Austin Reaves start together.
Redick thinks the Lakers will figure things out on their own, but after the deadline, they should try to acquire someone through a trade or a buyout. It would be a mistake and may come back to haunt them at the end of the season if they didn’t have a trustworthy playmaker in that second unit.
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Regarding the Cavaliers game Redick was referring to, the Lakers dropped to 18-14 on the season after losing 122-110. At 10:30 PM ET on Thursday, they will play the Trail Blazers at Crypto.com Arena to return to winning ways.
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