"Darvin Ham ain't go 0-for-6" - Draymond Green speculates LA Lakers star has already thrown in the towel against Nuggets
Draymond Green thinks D'Angelo Russell of the LA Lakers has mentally checked out and thrown in the towel in their series against the Denver Nuggets. Green also defended Lakers coach Darvin Ham from critics as the Lakers are on the verge of getting swept by the Nuggets for the second straight year.
On "The Draymond Green Show," the Golden State Warriors star discussed Russell's antics on the Lakers bench while the team was on the huddle. Green explained that it was not a good look, especially with Russell going scoreless in the game.
"Zero points last night, 0-for-7 from the field, 0-for-6 from three. A little disappointed in D'Lo not being a part of the huddle. I'm on this theme as athletes we can always look to blame somebody, never look further than yourself. Darvin Ham ain't go 0-for-6. After seeing that last night, personally think probably checked out." Green said.
Draymond Green added that it was unfortunate to see D'Angelo Russell do what he did in Game 3 after a brilliant stretch after the All-Star break until the end of the regular season. Green didn't like the body language from Russell, who overcame all the trade talks at the deadline.
The former Defensive Player of the Year pointed out that one poor game should not deter any player in the seven-game playoff series. There will be good games and there will be terrible ones, but it's all about staying locked in and focused on the task at hand.
Russell is averaging 12.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.0 steals in three games against the Nuggets this postseason. He was awful in Games 1 and 3 but was brilliant in Game 2 as the LA Lakers are on the verge of getting swept.
D'Angelo Russell expected to decline player option with LA Lakers
D'Angelo Russell was a free agent last offseason but signed a two-year, $36 million deal with the LA Lakers. He has a player option this summer worth around $18.7 million. If he opts out of his contract, he will enter free agency for the second straight offseason.
According to ESPN's Brian Windhorst, Russell is likely declining his player option and becoming a free agent. Windhorst added that the Lakers fan facilitate a sign-and-trade but will only receive picks.
"It's likely that D'Angelo Russell is gonna opt out of his contract, okay? Because the Lakers gave him a one-year with a player option and I would say it's likely he’s gonna opt out of that and once he's a free agent, they can’t really trade him.
"Yes, you could in theory do a sign-and-trade, but if the Lakers are in the apron, they can't receive a player in the sign-and-trade," Windhorst said on a recent episode of 'The Hoop Collective' podcast. [H/T Lakers Nation]