D’Angelo Russell on Lakers: “I’d love to be here”

Los Angeles Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell is facing a decision regarding his player option for next season, valued at $18.7 million. While he hasn’t finalized his choice to pick up the option or opt-out, Russell has expressed a preference to continue playing for the Lakers.

“I’d love to be here and continue to give it a run and be where my feet are now,” Russell told HoopsHype. “Obviously, I’ve been on the other side of it, and I’ve been through the roller coaster of free agency and having to sit back and wait.

“I’m looking forward to not having to worry about that. I’ve been blessed enough to put myself in this position with my play. I’m definitely planning on taking advantage of that. When that time comes, I feel that everything will play out how it’s supposed to play out.”

Russell also acknowledged feeling pressure due to the circumstances of playing in what amounts to a contract year.

“It’s definitely pressure,” he said. “It’s something that can eat a lot of people up in the league. A lot of people can be too high at times and too low at times, which causes an emotional roller coaster through the ups and downs of the season.

“For me, I wanted to control that. I wanted to stay sane and stay even-keeled through the ups and the downs.”