In a shocking turn of events, former Los Angeles Lakers point guard D’Angelo Russell has once again stirred the pot with pointed remarks about his time with the Lakers, this time after signing with the Dallas Mavericks in free agency. Russell, who has never shied away from expressing his feelings about his former team, seems to have taken yet another jab at the Lakers’ organization, leaving fans and analysts stunned by his candid revelations.
Russell, who began his NBA career with the Lakers after being selected as the No. 2 overall pick in 2015, described his experience in Los Angeles as lacking structure. “I’ve had limited structure in my career, so to get to an organization which, as you can see, is full on structure — from the youth, coaches, veterans… Plug me into something like that and I like my odds too,” Russell said, subtly contrasting the Mavericks’ cohesive environment with what he perceives as the Lakers’ chaotic setup.
This isn’t the first time Russell has aired his grievances. After rejoining the Brooklyn Nets midway through the 2024-25 season, he made headlines by claiming that his time with the Lakers had left him “traumatized.” He elaborated, saying, “It’s great. I would never take it for granted, coming from where I came from. Obviously, I was a little traumatized there. To be here and get the opportunity to just be me where there’s familiarity as well is just icing on the cake.” His comments suggest a deep dissatisfaction with the Lakers’ environment, painting a picture of an organization struggling to provide the stability he craved.
Russell’s tenure with the Lakers spanned five seasons across two stints (2015-17 and 2022-25), during which he played 265 games, more than with any other team in his career. He averaged a solid 15.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game in a Lakers uniform. His best performance came in the 2023-24 season, where he posted 18.0 points and 6.3 assists per game, showcasing his potential as a key playmaker. However, his departure to the Nets and subsequent move to Dallas indicate that his time in Los Angeles was far from smooth.
Now with the Mavericks, Russell appears rejuvenated, emphasizing his desire to contribute to winning rather than chasing individual stats. “I’m at the point in my career where I’m not going out and scoring 25 points every night and wowing with numbers. It’s a point where I’m trying to gravitate towards doing it the right way, and how I can contribute to winning is my priority,” he stated. His comments suggest a newfound sense of purpose in Dallas, where he believes the structured environment will allow him to thrive.
For Lakers fans, Russell’s remarks are a bitter pill to swallow. His public criticism highlights potential turmoil within the organization, raising questions about the team’s internal dynamics as they head into the new season. With Russell now back in the Western Conference, the Lakers will face their former guard multiple times in 2025-26. After dropping a game to him during the 2024-25 season, Los Angeles will be eager to prove a point when they meet again on the court.
As the NBA world buzzes with reactions to Russell’s truth bomb, one thing is clear: his departure from the Lakers has left lingering tensions, and his latest comments have only added fuel to the fire. Fans are left wondering whether the Lakers can address the issues Russell has exposed or if his words will continue to haunt them as they navigate the challenges of the upcoming season.