"Leave to the Nets": NBA fans react to D'Angelo Russell's cryptic post on X amid Lakers trade rumors

D'Angelo Russell is one of the players the LA Lakers have placed on the trade block per reports. The guard's latest cryptic post had fans speculating on whether he was talking about a potential move to a new team or a breakout season with the Lakers, with most guesses leaning toward him finding a new home for the upcoming season.

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Russell had a two-word note.

"The message"

This had fans sharing their two cents with one of them asking him to go back to Brooklyn.

"Leave to the Nets"

@lucrodontmiss added to Russell's 'message'.

"The trade"

@LeBronin1 wanted him to stay in LA.

"Stay with the Lakers"

@ddpage369 added:

"The mission. 😂😂😂 Find a catch & shoot style NBA veteran 2-Guard for D'Angelo Russell to make "homerun passes" to in the ballside corner."

@arrestedhagner reminded Russell of his last season.

"I ain't forget game 3"

@alansupercard believed a solid season was in the offing.

"yessir MVP season loading"

Russell was the Lakers' third-leading scorer behind LeBron James and Anthony Davis this past season. The guard averaged 18.0 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 6.3 assists while shooting 45.6% from the field and 41.5% from the 3-point line. His streaky shooting was one of the major talking points when it came to dissecting the Lakers' offense last season.

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"We were playing at a high level": D'Angelo Russell explains what it was like playing alongside LeBron James

D'Angelo Russell was one of the players acquired by the LA Lakers as part of the Russell Westbrook trade during the 2022-23 season trade window. The Lakers made the Western Conference Finals after some smart upgrades that season and Russell was one of the sparks on offense. He immediately cemented himself as the third scoring option behind James and Davis.

On the Run Your Race podcast earlier, he explained what it was like playing alongside the four-time NBA champion.

“So coming here last year when we came we clicked right away. I was like, ‘Dang, this is not what I expected.’ We was playing at a high level. Hot potato the ball, backdoor, no-look lob. That’s basketball. We were on the same page and we had no time to get there. We just did it."

Russell is now one of the players the Lakers are reportedly looking to shop after exercising his $18.7 million contract option ahead of free agency. While it does appear that he would want to remain with the Purple and Gold, he might be traded for another big name.