D'Angelo Russell plans to exercise options, return to Lakers

Los Angeles Lakers guard D'Angelo Russell plans to exercise his $18.7 million player option and return for next season, he told Swish Cultures late Friday night.

Russell was part of the group that sparked a turnaround for the Lakers last season after they revamped their roster at the trade deadline. He excelled during the team's push to make the playoffs but struggled at times during the Lakers' run to the Western Conference finals.

Russell returned to L.A. this summer on a two-year, $37 million deal, but he was heavily rumored to be a trade piece for the Lakers almost as soon as the contract was signed.

After a shaky start to the year, Russell has been on a tear since he was reinserted into the starting lineup back on Jan. 13. He's averaging 24 points while shooting 46.6% from 3 in the 13 games since then.

For the entire season, Russell is shooting 44.5% on catch-and-shoot 3s, which ranks 10th among qualifying players, according to ESPN Stats & Information research.

Russell, who turns 28 at the end of this month, has a player option for $18.7 million next season.