The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Charlotte Hornets 124-118 on Monday, and D’Angelo Russell had another solid performance. With ten points, eleven assists, and four rebounds, the point guard led the squad in scoring with twenty-eight points. In seven of his past thirteen games, “D-Lo” has tallied 25 points or more.

With his recent stellar play, Russell has become an integral cog in the Lakers’ playoff push. His enhanced performance has further highlighted his worth as a potential top trade asset for the Lakers. The speculation surrounding Russell will only heat up as the trade deadline approaches (only three days away).

In response to a question on the trade rumors and how he handled the situation, D’Angelo Russell stated:

All you have to do is turn up for work.  Playing is the best option as I can’t certain that my contract is tradeable. I am powerless over that. I couldn’t care less, once again.

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When Russell signed a $36 million, two-year deal with the Lakers during the offseason, many were startled. An option to play next season for $18.6 million is a part of the deal. The decision of “D-Lo” to remain in Los Angeles aroused concerns because General Manager Rоb Pelinka had recently signed Gabe Vincent, a point guard from the Miami Heat, in free agency.

Following his return from a tailbone ιnjury and promotion to the starting lineup, D’Angelo Russell has been playing at a higher level. He has averaged 23.1 points, 6.8 assists, and 2.5 rebounds in his past 10 games.

To what extent the Los Angeles Lakers take advantage of his continued success is an intriguing question. Pelinka has the option of keeping him and having him contribute to the team’s playoff run or trading him. Next season, the point guard might be an unrestricted free agent, which the Lakers general manager is fully aware of. For the in-form player, he may decide to recover something.

The Lakers re-signed D’Angelo Russell after he waived a no-trade clause.

Los Angeles Lakers The summer was all about General Manager Rоb Pelinka and his great job with the team’s retooling. Even with several important additions, he was able to hold on to Rui Hachimura, D’Angelo Russell, and Austin Reaves.

The general manager’s allegedly fruitful negotiations with Russell, in which the player waived a no-trade clause, were almost completely disregarded in Pelinka’s report. Without removing that condition, it would have been a far more difficult task to transfer “D-Lo” to another team.

Following Monday’s victory over the Hornets, reporters wаnted to know D’Angelo Russell’s thoughts on his decision to waive that particular clause:

It seemed reasonable to me. I know what it takes to be successful here since I’ve been here before and played for the Lakers. You will achieve greatness if you be a part of this place’s future. Otherwise, you rιsk being traded. From this location, I have been traded previously. I sincerely and honestly don’t care.

Now that the condition is no longer in place, Pelinka, the general manager of the Los Angeles Lakers, is free to trade Russell to any team he believes will benefit his squad. The fate of Russell, a basketball fan favorite, will be decided after the trade deadline on February 8.