D’Angelo Russell was fined $25,000 for verbally abusing a referee following the Lakers’ series loss to the Nuggets.
On Saturday, the NBA fined D’Angelo Russell, a Los Angeles Lakers player, $25,000 for verbally insulting a game referee. The NBA stated that his actions took place on the floor during the Lakers’ season-ending Game 5 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Monday night.
It’s unknown what Russell said to the official after Game 5, but given the Lakers’ poor season, it’s reasonable that he was unhappy and frustrated at the time. Lashing out at an official is certainly not something the league can condone, therefore he will enter the offseason with his wallet slightly lighter than before thanks to this fine.
Russell’s series against the Nuggets was another roller coaster ride. Although he had two solid games, he did not contribute significantly offensively in the other three. This includes going scoreless at home in Game 3 and closing the season with 14 points and six assists in Game 5 while shooting only 6-of-15 and 2-of-10 from 3-point range.
That is not to diminish Russell’s regular season, as he was great for the Lakers, particularly from the middle of January onwards when they were fighting for playoff positions. Russell averaged 18.0 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 6.3 assists across 76 regular-season games, shooting 45.6% from the field and 41.5% from three on 7.1 attempts per game.
D’Angelo Russell hopes to take advantage of leverage heading into the offseason. Russell appears to be entering the summer with some leverage as a result of his season. He has a $18.7 million player option that he may exercise, either to return to the Lakers or to be traded elsewhere, or he can refuse it and test free agency following his strong season. With that said, Russell hopes to be able to use his leverage to make whatever decision he believes is best for himself and his family moving ahead.
“I did not say I wasn’t thinking about it. When I signed my deal last year, I knew what situation I was going to put myself in, so now that I have some leverage, I’ll attempt to take advantage of it,” Russell stated at the end of the season. Russell has loved his second stay with the Lakers, but depending on how things go this summer, he may leave again.