D'Angelo Russell of the Lakers could be one of the more underrated free agents this summer

D'Angelo Russell who is the point guard for the Los Angeles Lakers could be one of the top targets for teams in free agency this summer, in what could be a weaker free agency class. Russell will have a big decision coming up this offseason with a $18.69 million player option that he will have to accept or decline. If he declines it he will become an unrestricted free agent.  

Still just only 28 years old is playing some of the best basketball of his career recently, while he is in the beginning of his prime years. He is averaging 18.2 points per game shooting a career high 42.3% from three to go along with 6.4 assist a night. The Lakers will like to have him back especially with how well he has been playing this year.  

Today we are going to look at why the Lakers should keep him and if he does leave, what teams might be in the mix for his services next year.  

The Lakers who are going to be over the salary cap next year and are going to be a taxpaying team unless both Russell and LeBron James decline their player option. They currently sit at 40-32 and are the 9th seed in the West, after winning four games in a row, will be a dangerous team if they get in the playoffs.  

This could be the last year of the LeBron era in Los Angeles too if he decides to leave with the rumors of him wanting to play with his son next year. However, regardless of what LeBron does the Lakers should absolutely want Russell back next year.

He is still 28 years old and his playing the best basketball of his career and has been a perfect third option next to LeBron and Anthony Davis. If LeBron does leave he would be a great guy to have for the future and to carry the way with AD post the LeBron era. To help the Lakers still be relevant without LeBron and would not have to go through a full rebuild with no first round picks in the foreseeable future.

If Russell does leave the Lakers in free agency a perfect place for him to go too would be the San Antonio Spurs. The Spurs who are just 16-56 this year are set up great for the future with young talent, draft picks, and the face of their team in Victor Wembanyama.  

The one thing that a lot of people think is missing from this team is a point guard who can set up Wemby and his teammates up for better shots. Russell who is not a guy that is going to average 10+ assist a night is still a willing enough passer and would be a great option next to Wemby next year.

The Spurs could follow the same path the Houston Rockets did last year by signing two veteran players to play alongside their young core, and with the draft picks they have could be in the race for a play-in spot next year or the year after.

Another great option for Russell would be the Utah Jazz who after trading away Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert a couple of years ago refuse to go in a full rebuild and have been hovering around mediocrity for the past two seasons. With them having a lot of draft picks for the future, an establish all-star player in Lauri Markkanen, and some young talented players headlined by Keyonte George.

Signing a player like Russell who would be an upgrade from Collin Sexton in the starting line up, and could be exactly what the Jazz need to finally get over the hump and be considered a play-in/playoff team in the Western Conference. 

Finally, the last spot that could be a good fit for Russell is the Orlando Magic. Since, trading away Nikola Vucevic and going in a full on rebuild, have been one of the worse teams in the last couple of years until this year. Right now, they sit at 42-29 which is 5th best in the Eastern Conference are looking at making the playoffs for the first time since the 2019-2020 season.

The Magic are probably not going to come out of the East this year, however with the young talent they have and with around 50-60 million in cap space next offseason. They are going to want to make a splash and try to compete for a championship next year.  

It doesn't seam like the Magic are set on guys like Jalen Suggs, Cole Anthony, or Markelle Fultz for the future point guard position. However, Suggs is the most likely person to stay out of those three with how well he has been playing recently.

With the team that they have now Russell would be a perfect fit alongside Paolo Banchero and others in the Eastern Conference. A starting five of Russell, Suggs, Franz Wagner, Banchero, and Wendell Carter Jr. would be a solid team in the East.