Raptors Rapture
Fansided

Toronto Raptors’ Pascal Siakam vs D’Angelo Russell for Most Improved Player

By Mark Birdsell

TORONTO, CANADA - MARCH 24: Pascal Siakam #43 of the Toronto Raptors is awarded the NBA Community Assist Award before the game against the Charlotte Hornets on March 24, 2019 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Ron Turenne/NBAE via Getty Images)
TORONTO, CANADA - MARCH 24: Pascal Siakam #43 of the Toronto Raptors is awarded the NBA Community Assist Award before the game against the Charlotte Hornets on March 24, 2019 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Ron Turenne/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next
Toronto Raptors
D’Angelo Russell (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The Case for Russell

Russell is a 6-foot-5 guard out of Ohio State. He was the second pick in the 2015 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Lakers and started 48 games as a rookie. He put up solid numbers across the board, averaging 13.2 points, 3.3 assists, 3.4 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game.

Russell’s transition to the NBA wasn’t the easiest. His first season coincided with Kobe Bryant’s farewell tour. In his first season, Russell also feuded with Lakers’ Head Coach, Byron Scott quite often. Also, a video of Russell and then-teammate, Nick Young surfaced in which Young admitted that he cheated on his fiancée, Iggy Azalea.

In his second season, Russell’s stats went up across the board. He averaged 15.6 points, 4.8 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game.

However, the Lakers hired Magic Johnson as President of Basketball Operations in February 2017. Johnson did not view Russell as part of the Lakers’ future. On June 20, 2017, the Lakers agreed to trade Russell to the Brooklyn Nets. Two days later, the Lakers selected Lonzo Ball with the second pick of the draft.

Shortly after Russell was traded to the Nets, Johnson decided to publicly question his leadership. Johnson said, “I need somebody also that can make the other players better, and also that the players want to play with”.

Russell welcomed a fresh start in Brooklyn but did not see any change in the box score. His numbers were almost identical to the previous season. Russell also missed 31 games with a knee injury.

Now in his fourth NBA campaign, Russell is enjoying a career year. He is averaging 20.8 points and 7.0 assists. The Nets are poised to make the playoffs for the first time since the 2014-15 Season. Russell was also named as an All-Star being selected by Commissioner Adam Silver as an injury replacement for Oladipo.

Russell will be a restricted free agent this summer. Russell and the Nets failed to come to terms on a contract extension before the start of the season. The Nets now have a difficult decision to make. Russell has a cap hold just over $21 million. He could be in line for a big payday come July 1st.

After a few bumps at the start of his career, Russell appears to be developing into the player the Lakers thought he could be. That may be enough for him to be named this year’s Most Improved Player. Russell has figured out how to be a professional and more consistent on the basketball court. Unfortunately for Russell, he is likely to finish second in MIP voting.

Home/Raptors News