'Egoless' D'Angelo Russell speaks out on being removed from Lakers starting lineup by JJ Redick: "I left all my baggage at the door"
It has been less than five months since JJ Redick took over at the LA Lakers, and the decision to remove D'Angelo Russell from the starting lineup for Friday's game shows the young coach is willing to do whatever it takes to win. Following the Lakers' victory over the Philadelphia 76ers, Russell addressed coming off the bench and insisted his goal is to win above anything else.
D'Angelo Russell played 25 minutes and chipped in with 18 points in his team's 116-106 win at the Crypto.com Arena. The decision to not start the former NBA All-Star seemed to pay dividends for the home team, with the Lakers breaking their two-game losing streak. Russell was asked about his situation during the postgame conference.
"I just wanted to win," Russell said. "So whatever it took, change of plans, whatever it is, whatever coach needs, try to get the win and be a part of that."
Before Friday's game, the talented guard had started every game this season for the Lakers. However, Russell seems to have accepted his new role off the bench and is willing to do whatever it takes to help build a winning culture.
"I left all that, all my baggage at the door this summer once we changed coaches and new staff came in ... I'm egoless. So, I just want to win," Russell said.
Newly appointed coach JJ Redick has already shown that aside from LeBron James and Anthony Davis, no player is guaranteed a starting spot. The former Duke University star has already started eight different players, with Dalton Knecht, Jaxson Hayes and Cam Reddish all being named in the starting lineup at some point this season.
After successful stints with the Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves, Russell was brought over in 2023 as part of a three-team trade. The goal was to provide a complimentary piece and some additional firepower to support James and Davis over the course of the season.
This season, D'Angelo Russell is averaging 12.7 points, 5.4 assists and 2.2 rebounds over nine games.
Lakers coach JJ Redick addresses D'Angelo Russell's limited role in Lakers loss
D'Angelo Russell's minutes have dropped off as the season has progressed, with the Los Angeles Lakers guard playing just 22 and 25 minutes over the last four days against the Memphis Grizzlies and Philadelphia 76ers, respectively.
Following the Lakers' loss against the Grizzlies on Wednesday, JJ Redick was specifically asked about Russell's performance and why he limited his minutes in the second half.
"Again, level of compete, attention to details," Redick said. "At times, he’s been really good with that stuff, at other times [he’s] just reverting back to certain habits. Wasn't like a punishment."
The Lakers had a strong start to the 2024-25 campaign, winning their first three games of the season. Since then, Reddick's team has a 2-4 record. A statement win against the Sixers on Friday means that it is likely Redick will continue to utilize Russell off the bench in the coming weeks.