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Los Angeles Lakers star D'Angelo Russell, who's played a crucial role in the team's offense this season, is reportedly considering becoming a free agent this summer.
"D'Angelo Russell will likely turn down his player option and become a free agent this summer," according to ESPN's Brian Windhorst.
Russell signed a two-year deal with LA last offseason, providing a reliable backcourt partner for LeBron James. He averaged a respectable 18.0 points and 3.3 assists per game, shooting 46% from the two-point line and 36.9% from beyond the arc.
Lakers fans went haywire speculating about Russell possibly joining the Shanghai Sharks in China due to his inconsistent performance during the playoffs against the Denver Nuggets.
"Shanghai Sharks gonna have a busy offseason signing Klay and DLo"
Other fans didn't hold back from mocking D'Lo's decision to become a free agent this summer.
"Get ready to learn Chinese, buddy," one fan said.
"It will be the worst thing that could happen to the Lakers because then they won't be able to trade him but anyway he can go to China, I don't care," another fan said.
"Have fun in China," said one fan.
"Haha, just wanted to comment that he better start learning Chinese," another fan said.
"Yeah but who's signing?"
D'Angelo Russell's performance in Lakers Game 3 vs Nuggets
After losing 105-112 to the Denver Nuggets in Game 3 of their first-round playoff series, the Lakers now trail the Nuggets 0-3 and face the possibility of being swept. While LeBron James scored 26 points, LA's supporting cast, particularly D'Angelo Russell, couldn't provide any.
Russell endured a frustrating night, finishing the game with no points, shooting 0/7 from the two-point line, including 0/6 from beyond the arc. Regardless of the reasons for his poor performance, Russell's struggles are a major concern for the outfit. Facing a 0-3 series deficit, they desperately need him to step up and provide some offensive spark.
