D'Angelo Russell seemingly throws shade at Lakers as he makes dazzling return to Brooklyn following trade

D'Angelo Russell made his season debut for the Brooklyn Nets during their 130-113 loss to the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday. The veteran point guard made an immediate impact, delivering a standout performance despite the team’s defeat.

Russell showcased his versatility, finishing with 22 points, two rebounds, eight assists, one steal and two blocks. He shot an impressive 9 of 13 from the field, including 2 of 6 from beyond the arc, in a well-rounded display.

Ahead of his first game back with the Nets during his second stint, Russell appeared to take a subtle jab at his former team, the Lakers. The one-time All-Star expressed a sense of "comfort" in returning to Brooklyn, seemingly hinting at his dissatisfaction with his time in Los Angeles.

"It’s a good feeling, honestly, to go back somewhere you’re comfortable, somewhere you kind of know the ins and outs a little bit," Russell said, as quoted by the New York Post. "See some familiar faces. It kind of makes the process a little easier to adjust to. So, I’m just grateful for that."

His comments appeared to reflect frustration with the lack of clarity in his role, as he frequently alternated between starting and coming off the bench during his tenure with the Lakers.

Lakers pulled the plug on D'Angelo Russell after inconsistent run

D'Angelo Russell experienced an inconsistent season with the Lakers under head coach JJ Redick. Struggles with his shooting and poor defensive performances significantly impacted the Purple and Gold’s overall play. After starting 11 games, Redick decided to move Russell to the bench, signaling a need for change.

In total, the veteran guard appeared in 29 games for the Lakers, averaging a career-low 12.4 points per game while shooting a disappointing 41.5% from the field, including 33.3% from beyond the arc.

Redick wasn’t the only coach to face challenges in keeping Russell in the Lakers’ starting lineup during his second stint with the franchise. Last season, head coach Darvin Ham also relegated Russell to the bench during a difficult stretch for the team, further highlighting the guard’s inconsistency.

After a season and a half, the Lakers' front office ultimately decided to move on from Russell, trading him in an effort to strengthen their roster.