Report: D’Angelo Russell ‘on the radar’ for Orlando Magic in free agency

D’Angelo Russell’s free agency decision will go a long way in shaping the Lakers offseason and the Orlando Magic be the team to throw a wrench in the plans.

While the Lakers have a number of decisions left up in the air this offseason, one of the biggest ones that is going to shape their free agency decisions will be D’Angelo Russell’s. The Lakers won’t have any say in Russell’s decision as he has a player option for the 2024-25 season.

If he picks it up, it gives the Lakers an expiring contract that can operate as a trade chip. If he declines it, then the Lakers have a hole in their roster and no cap room to fill it. Russell could still return, but it will likely cost them a lot of money for a player who has shown his flaws in back-to-back postseason runs.

The alternative isn’t any better as the Lakers could watch him walk to another team in free agency and leave a hole without cap room to fix. There aren’t many teams with cap space, but one of the few in the Orlando Magic could be a factor.

In his latest episode of the “No Cap Room” podcast, Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports reported that the Magic have Russell on their radar, just perhaps at a lower cost than his current contract.

“I haven’t talked to anyone in Orlando. I will admit publicly about D’Angelo Russell being on their radar but I can guarantee you he is not on the Orlando Magic radar for more money than what he is potentially on the books for in LA.”

It seems there’s often a bit of flawed thinking when it comes to free agency. Russell’s player option for 2024-25 is for $18.7 million and the Magic certainly aren’t going to pay him that per season.

However, the Magic could very well offer him more money over multiple seasons, which would be more appealing to Russell. Would he accept a two-year, $30 million deal? In an offer like that, he’s guaranteed more money but at a lower average annual value.

It’s going to be a very interesting decision for Russell and the Lakers. Is he even interested in running it back and going through the trade circus again? Feels unlikely, but nothing feels impossible, either.

So much of the Lakers offseason is a big question mark and Russell is at the center of that. His decision, in multiple ways, could drastically change how the team approaches so much of its roster-building.

You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude.