D'Angelo Russell Has More Points Than Harden, More Assists Than Curry, Better 3PT% Than Durant: What Do The Lakers Really Want?

D’Angelo Russell has had an excellent campaign in 2023-24 for the Los Angeles Lakers, despite being criticized and almost traded before the trade deadline. Russell has been efficient this season, posting 18.2 points and 6.3 assists per game on 45.9% from the field and 41.9% from the three-point line. These numbers are not even far off from his career averages of 17.8 points and 5.8 assists per game on 37.0% from deep and are actually better. The Lakers have an excellent option behind LeBron James and Anthony Davis because Russell is managing better stats in some areas than stars such as Stephen Curry, James Harden, Kevin Durant, and Kyrie Irving.

D'Angelo Russell Has More Points Than James Harden

1. D'Angelo Russell - 18.2 PPG

2. James Harden - 16.7 PPG

Despite James Harden's reputation as a three-time scoring champion and one of the premier offensive talents in NBA history, this season has seen D'Angelo Russell outpacing him in points per game. Russell's 18.2 PPG compared to Harden's 16.7 PPG showcases his scoring efficiency and effectiveness on the court. What's particularly impressive is that Russell achieves this scoring output while serving as the third offensive option for his team and sharing ball-handling duties with LeBron James, much like Harden does on his respective team.

Furthermore, Russell's ranking of 50th in the NBA in points per game highlights his consistency and impact as a scorer. It's also worth noting that Russell is averaging more points per game than notable stars such as Klay Thompson (17.6 PPG), Fred VanVleet (16.8 PPG), and Chet Holmgren (16.6 PPG). This demonstrates Russell's ability to stand out among high-caliber players and solidifies his case as a valuable scoring threat for any team, including the Lakers.

D'Angelo Russell Has More Assists Per Game Than Stephen Curry

1. D’Angelo Russell - 6.3 APG

2. Stephen Curry - 5.0 APG 

While Stephen Curry is widely recognized as the best point guard in the NBA and a masterful playmaker, this season has seen D'Angelo Russell surpass him in assists per game. Russell's average of 6.3 assists per game compared to Curry's 5.0 is a testament to Russell's playmaking abilities and his knack for creating scoring opportunities for his teammates. Despite playing alongside LeBron James, who is also a prolific playmaker averaging 7.2 assists per game, Russell has managed to maintain an impressive assist average.

This highlights Russell's versatility and his ability to coexist and thrive alongside other ball-dominant players. Furthermore, Russell's higher assists per game than All-Star caliber guards like De'Aaron Fox (5.6 APG), Kyrie Irving (5.1 APG), and Jrue Holiday (4.9 APG) showcases his playmaking superiority even among elite company. With a ranking of 17th in the NBA in assists, Russell's playmaking skills are undeniably one of his strongest assets, making him a valuable asset for any team looking for a dynamic point guard who can both score and facilitate.

D'Angelo Russell Has A Higher 3PT% Than Kevin Durant

1. D’Angelo Russell - 41.9%

2. Kevin Durant - 41.8%

Superstar Kevin Durant is revered as a top-five scoring talent of all time and one of the top-10 pure shooters the game has ever seen. Given Durant's legendary shooting prowess, it's remarkable that D'Angelo Russell has managed to outperform him in three-point percentage this season, albeit by a razor-thin margin. Russell's 41.9% from beyond the arc edges out Durant's 41.8%, showcasing Russell's sharpshooting abilities and his efficiency from long range.

For the Lakers, Russell has emerged as a crucial perimeter threat, ranking 14th in the NBA in three-point percentage. Within his own team, Russell stands second in three-point shooting efficiency, trailing only Rui Hachimura, who attempts significantly fewer threes per game at 3.4 compared to Russell's 7.2 attempts.

Russell's consistent and accurate three-point shooting has undoubtedly been a catalyst for the Lakers as they prepare for the playoffs, providing them with valuable floor spacing and scoring from the perimeter. Amazingly, Russell is only shooting the three better than Stephen Curry (40.3%), Kyrie Irving (41.0%), and Luka Doncic (38.2%) who are all considered better offensive players but not proving it from three so far compared to the Lakers guard.

What Do The Lakers Really Want From D'Angelo Russell?

D'Angelo Russell's name has frequently surfaced in trade talks involving the Lakers all season long. However, Russell has consistently proven his value and adaptability as the team's third option. His impressive statistics across scoring, playmaking, and three-point shooting not only rival but often surpass those of many star players considered to be superior to him.

At 28 years old, Russell is currently in his prime, suggesting that he has several more productive seasons ahead. Despite his significant offensive contributions, Russell has maintained a commendably low turnover rate, averaging just 2.1 turnovers per game. This efficiency speaks volumes about his decision-making and basketball IQ, exceeding the Lakers' expectations for him this season.

Given Russell's outstanding production, youth, and upside, it would be logical for the Lakers to view him as a valuable long-term asset. Selected as the No. 2 overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, Russell's pedigree and potential further emphasize his importance to the Lakers' future plans. The point guard has a $18,692,307 player option next season and if he rejects it, the Lakers should sign him to a long-term deal for at least three or four seasons because he has proven he deserves it.

The Lakers Almost Made A Huge Mistake In February

Before the NBA trade deadline, the Lakers reportedly considered trading D'Angelo Russell for Dejounte Murray—a move that, in retrospect, could have been a mistake for the franchise. While Murray has put up impressive numbers this season with averages of 22.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 6.4 assists per game, these statistics don't necessarily translate to a better fit or performance within the Lakers' system.

Murray's shooting efficiency, particularly from beyond the arc at 36.4%, and turnover rate of 2.5 per game, are areas of concern. As the second option on his current team, Murray is expected to shoulder a heavier scoring load compared to Russell. However, his marginal lead in points per game and negligible advantage in assists, coupled with inferior three-point shooting, suggests that he may not be the ideal complement to LeBron James and Anthony Davis in the Lakers' lineup.

If Murray were to join the Lakers, it's plausible that his scoring would decline playing alongside higher-volume scorers like James and Davis. Additionally, his shooting would likely not meet the Lakers' standards, potentially limiting floor spacing and offensive efficiency. Furthermore, retaining their valuable first-round pick in 2029 will be an added benefit for the Lakers because they maintain flexibility once LeBron James is long gone from the NBA.