Former Lakers guard Nick Young presumably did backflips when information broke of the franchise trading D’Angelo Russell, his former teammate, over the weekend.
Younger, a local of Los Angeles, despatched out a harsh tweet directed at Russell, asking the latter to “keep out” of his metropolis for good.
As is nicely documented, Younger felt betrayed by Russell after they have been teammates through the latter’s rookie season in 2015-16. Russell had secretly recorded a non-public dialog wherein Younger admitted to dishonest on his then-fiancee, Iggy Azalea.
After Russell posted the video on Snapchat, Younger and Azalea’s relationship ended, resulting in many Lakers reportedly isolating themselves from the rookie guard.
A couple of years later, then-Lakers director of basketball operations Magic Johnson admitted on ESPN’s “First Take” that the incident influenced his decision to commerce Russell to the Nets.
In an ironic coincidence, Russell was as soon as once more traded to the Nets on Sunday after being reacquired by the Lakers in 2023. Whereas his second stint with the Lakers wasn’t practically as tumultuous, he by no means received over the fan base or the group along with his inconsistent play.
That is why Younger wasn’t alone in rejoicing Russell’s departure on Sunday. Many Lakers followers took to social media to have fun the information, poking enjoyable at the truth that Russell’s last shot with the workforce hit the backboard and why it was symbolic of his streaky taking pictures.
Russell, a Tenth-year guard out of Ohio State, is averaging a career-low 12.4 factors whereas taking pictures a mediocre 33.3 p.c from deep. Russell has additionally been a legal responsibility on protection, resulting in Lakers head coach JJ Redick eradicating him from the beginning unit in favor of Max Christie.
It is unknown if the Brooklyn Nets plan to maintain Russell or purchase out the ultimate yr of his $18.6M deal.
