D’Angelo Russell offered a pointed reflection on his early career during a recent interview, noting the structural differences between the Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn Nets.
“The organization in Brooklyn is unlike any other,” Russell said. “I came from the Lakers where the structure is not the same, and then I go to Brooklyn where it’s all structure and it taught me how to be a professional.”
Russell began his NBA career with the Lakers in 2015 as the No. 2 overall pick. After two seasons in Los Angeles, he was traded to Brooklyn in 2017. That shift, according to Russell, proved instrumental in his growth on and off the court.
He played two years for the Nets, earning his first and only All-Star selection in 2019 while averaging 21.1 points and 7.0 assists per game. It marked a breakout campaign that helped lead Brooklyn to the playoffs.
The Lakers, meanwhile, were rebuilding during Russell’s initial stint, cycling through coaches and front office changes. During his first two years in Los Angeles, the team failed to win more than 26 games in a season.
Russell said the culture in Brooklyn stood out immediately. “It taught me how to be a professional,” he emphasized, suggesting that the guidance he received in New York helped him mature both as a player and teammate.
After Brooklyn, Russell spent time with Golden State, Minnesota, and again the Lakers before returning briefly to the Nets in 2025. On July 6, he signed a two-year, $13 million deal with the Dallas Mavericks.
Russell averaged 12.6 points and 5.1 assists last season across split time with the Lakers and Nets.
