Lakers' D'Angelo Russell on NBA trade rumors: 'I don't care, at all'
Los Angeles Lakers point guard D’Angelo Russell offered a straightforward response when asked about the trade rumors surrounding him with the NBA’s Feb. 8 trade deadline looming.
In a postgame interview after the Lakers’ win over the Charlotte Hornets, Russell said that the trade rumors are out of his control.
“I don’t care, at all,” Russell said when asked how he’s been handling the intensifying trade rumors. “Show up to work, that’s it.”
Russell shared how his past experience getting traded as a Laker is helping him this time around.
“I can’t control that my contract makes sense to be traded, so, just play," Russell said. "I’ve been here before and I’ve played for the Lakers before, so I know what the requirements are for being successful here. So you’re part of the future here if you’re successful and if you're not, then you’ll get traded – and I’ve been traded before [here]. So, my approach is just a little different – I really just genuinely, humbly don’t care.”
D'Angelo Russell on the trade rumors:
— BasketballNews.com (@basketbllnews) February 6, 2024
“I can’t control that my contract makes sense to be traded, so, just play. I can't control that.”
(via @SpectrumSN)pic.twitter.com/GHDD2GHBAf
The 6-foot-4 guard has scored 25+ points in seven of his last 13 games. Los Angeles currently has the ninth-best record in the Western Conference at 26-24.
“I can’t control it, and I just won’t let my mind go there," Russell added. "I just focus on this and focus on basketball.
Russell has been the subject of trade rumors over the past month, with people citing the need to surround LeBron James and Anthony Davis with better pieces.
Russell along with Gabe Vincent, Rui Hachimura and even fan-favorite Austin Reaves are names that have surfaced in possible trade scenarios for the Lakers.
Russell, 27, is averaging 17 points and 6.2 assists in 47 games played this season.