The Lakers re-signed him for 37M & the difference between D'Angelo vs. Westbrook was abysmal

The 2022-23 season was looking to be a complete mess when it was announced that Russell Westbrook was staying with the team, and having a slow and disappointing offseason where the PG Patrick Beverley was the biggest signing of the summer for the purple and gold.

Even with a new coach in Darvin Ham, Westbrook never fully worked with the team, just wasn't the right fit to be with LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Russ didn't work in a new role, as Ham used him coming off the bench, despite some clear improvement, things never worked out for both parties.

Russell Westbrook's performances kept leaving a lot to desire as the PG averaged 15.9 points, 7.5 assists with 3.5 TOV, 41/29/65 splits, and 49 TS%, this up to the trade deadline when he left the team.

D'Angelo Russell arrived in LA, and immediately shook up things and for the Lakers post-trade deadline, D-Lo was averaging 17.4 pts 6.1 assists, and 2.3 TOV. 48/41/73 splits with 61 TS%.

The Lakers gave D'Angelo Russell another shot for the 2023-24 season

The improvement the team had with D-lo over Westbrook was clear, so much that the team was planning on offering a max-extension, the problem came in the postseason when his game went under expectations, especially against the now NBA champions the Denver Nuggets, still, the Lakers re-signed the PG with a two year 37 million deal but with the possibility of trading him further in the regular season if the star doesn't earn a spot on coach Ham's lineups.