Lakers Player Hits Former Teammate with a Horrible Insult
D’Angelo Russell, the point guard for the Los Angeles Lakers, has little affection for Dennis Schroder, a former teammate. The nine-year veteran voiced his displeasure with how Schroder’s and Darvin Ham’s closeness prohibited him from developing “a relationship” with the Lakers head coach in a feature article written by ESPN reporter Dave McMenamin.
Russell claims, “I couldn’t have a relationship with Darvin because of his relationship with Darvin.”
D’Angelo Russell Attacks Dennis Schroder with a Bitter Rebuke
“This is what we should do, bro,” Russell said of approaching the coach when he was having trouble. As in, ‘I can assist you.'”
Rather, there was no conversation. I simply agreed to it. The former No. 2 choice then says, “And we got swept (in the 2023 Western Conference Finals),” which may come as a surprise. He’s not here, and I am. And I think our chances are good.
Russell’s increased self-assurance this season has mostly come from his better play before the All-Star Break. Russell has averaged 21.6 points, 6.3 assists, and 47.5 percent from the field (44.9 percent from three) a game over the past 29 games. Russell had allayed the Lakers’ fears after being almost certain to be dealt. Enough, at least, to gain their confidence for the remainder of the season.
Nevertheless, for Russell to even be in a position to accomplish that, practically everything had to go perfectly.
The Draw’s Luck
To strengthen their lackluster perimeter defense, the Lakers signed defensive-minded guard Gabe Vincent in the offseason. However, because of swelling in his left knee that necessitated arthroscopic surgery, Vincent has only been able to play in five games this season. Four of the five matches took place in October. Russell has therefore started the entire season as the team’s lone healthy point guard.
If Schroder had re-signed with the Lakers during the offseason, that might not have been the case. Up until then, there was a possibility following the NBA Playoffs in 2023. Ham expressed clearly that he wanted Schroder back on the team. Moreover, Russell continued to face criticism from the media for his unimpressive performance during the previous postseason. Russell played in 16 games, averaging 13.3 points, 4.6 assists, and 42.6 percent field goal percentage (31.0 percent from three).
But a week after Los Angeles re-signed Russell and signed Vincent, Schroder agreed to a $26 million, two-year deal with the Toronto Raptors.
The previous season, he had been on a minimum-salary contract with the Lakers, intending to use his excellent play for a well-liked playoff contender to negotiate a better deal. To be honest, Schroder had made the proper choice in that choice. Nevertheless, if he had accepted one of the two contract extensions the Lakers had suggested, he would never have had to.
Prior to the 2020–21 season, Schroder first declined a two-year, $33.4 million contract deal. Then, during the 2020–21 season, he famously turned down a four-year, $84 million contract extension. Schroder is currently playing for the Brooklyn Nets to end the 2023–24 season after being moved by the Raptors, rather than the Lakers, where he was hoping to win a championship.
In addition to L.A., Schroder has participated in five games.