After a humiliating stint with the Lakers this season, D’Angelo Russell returns to Crypto.com Arena. This time, sporting a Brooklyn Nets gear. While the star guard sounded receptive to the sudden trade, DLo opened up about his bittersweet run with the legacy franchise ahead of tonight’s match-up. Moreover, the 28-year-old guard’s statement came a day after the Lakers coach JJ Redick set huge expectations around him.

However, 29 games into the season, the Lakers traded him to the Nets, exactly the same franchise where they traded him after his rookie stint.

Speaking ahead of tonight’s game, D’Angelo Russell said, “It’s exciting. I’m excited to be on this side, attacking those guys. Obviously, a lot of my friends are over there. It’s going to be a different feel but exciting still the game.” At the same time, he also called his stint with the Lakers a “blur”. 

And why wouldn’t it be? Russell had an underwhelming run this season, drastically dropping down on his productivity, averaging only 12.4 ppg while he averaged 18.0 ppg last season. On top of it, Redick took the bold decision to bench the veteran amid his poor run with just 8 games into the season. Even then, the baller’s morale wasn’t affected as he considered it as just an “adjustment”.

Reflecting on his time with the Purple & Gold, he further added, “I think coming almost locked into what I had to achieve personally, to not be there now obviously, is something I’m trying to get over and try to move past but it’s the place that I’ve been there twice for myself. I feel like it’s a part of my career, then you know something can’t really take back. So, I appreciate it forward to moving on.”

Notably, it wasn’t an easy journey for DLo with the Lakers. He came into the side mid-way through the 2022-23 season and after a strong season in between, he was traded out again mid-season. It indeed seems like a blur.

JJ Redick’s mind game ahead of D’Angelo Russell’s return

The Nets are coming off an embarrassing 59-point blowout loss against the Clippers. It’s something that the team has to completely forget before facing the Lakers tonight and DLo intended to approach it with a “short-term memory loss.” While Russell along with his teammates already have to tune their minds before stepping on Crypto.com Arena, JJ Redick plotted another mind game.

During yesterday’s practice session, the former sharpshooter shot his shot. He had high expectations of the guard. Speaking to the reporters, he added, “I expect him to come out and try to have a great game… He does not have a lack of competitiveness. He takes a lot of pride in who he is as a player. I’m expecting him to try to go at us tomorrow.”

A general mindset of a player, playing against a franchise that traded him out, would be straight-up revenge. And even before Russell could channel the thought, JJ Redick came up with a double bluff, taking charge of the situation.

So, will DLo go under the radar or demolish the Lakers? Only time will tell.