NBA supporters claim that D’Angelo Russell’s departure from the Lakers is due to LeBron James’ thank-you message, saying ‘Bron just gave him the kiss’.

For the past five games, D’Angelo Russell of the Los Angeles Lakers has been on a roll. Darvin Ham has put him back in the starting lineup, and since then, he is averaging 27.2 points on 54.2% shooting, including 53.8% from outside the arc. While he does his best to support LeBron James and Anthony Davis in leading the club, “DLo” has tuned out the significant trade commotion.

The point guard defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 134-110 on Sunday, scoring a team-high 34 points and dishing out a team-high eight assists. The game’s highlight came via a bounce pass by Russell that set up a booming James slam. Using social media, the four-time MVP expressed gratitude for the frequently criticized player’s recent performance for the Lakers.

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But LeBron James’ Instagram post only fueled rumors that “DLo” would be moving before the trade deadline:

“DLO is really gone, Bron just kissed him on the 34th.”

The LA Lakers’ record improved to 22-22 with the victory over the Blazers, which placed them in ninth position in the very competitive Western Conference. They can be overtaken by the Golden State Warriors (18-22) and the Houston Rockets (20-22) if they have a difficult second half to the season.

It’s said that the Lakers want to bolster their roster. Perhaps the Lakers’ greatest trade asset is D’Angelo Russell, as they are said to be uninterested in including Austin Reaves in trade negotiations. He has a player option for the upcoming season on a team-friendly two-year, $36 million contract. Russell is signed for $17 million this season, with an additional $18 million if he chooses to play for the 2024–25 campaign.

D’Angelo Russell’s value is at its peak right now given the way he has been playing. The same will only increase with LeBron James’ support.

Will D’Angelo Russell be traded by the LA Lakers?

With LeBron James in the starting lineup, the LA Lakers might only have this season to win a championship. For the 2024–25 season, “King James” has a player option that, should he choose to exercise it, would enable him to become an unrestricted free agent. If the front staff in Los Angeles doesn’t make every effort to surround James with the best players in order to attempt and win another Larry O’Brien Trophy, then something is wrong.

It comes down to D’Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves for LA to decide which player to trade in order to bolster their squad. The latter must be the Lakers’ strongest trade asset if general manager Rоb Pelinka decides not to include the former.

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The Lakers’ run to the Western Conference Finals the previous season was greatly aided by Russell. Pelinka probably won’t trade for him until he can get a player who will significantly increase their chances of winning the title.

D’Angelo Russell is anticipated to be playing elsewhere in February if Pelinka is in the running for a star like Zach LaVine or Dejounte Murray.