"Looking forward to moving on" - D'Angelo Russell makes feelings known on facing Lakers after being traded twice by LA

D'Angelo Russell's time with the LA Lakers officially ended when he was traded to the Brooklyn Nets in late December. Ahead of Friday night’s game at Crypto.com Arena against the Lakers, Russell shared his thoughts with reporters about facing his former team.

Russell expressed excitement about playing against his former teammates and friends while emphasizing his determination to move forward from the Lakers, a team he has had two separate stints with during his career.

"I mean, just a blur ... To not being there now obviously is something trying to get over and trying to move past. But that's a place that I've been there twice for myself ... I feel like it's a part of my career ... something you can't really take back so, I appreciate it. Looking forward to moving on."

D’Angelo Russell’s trade sent him and Maxwell Lewis to the Nets in exchange for wing Dorian Finney-Smith and guard Shake Milton.

Russell previously played for Brooklyn from 2017 to 2019, where he averaged 18.3 points, 3.9 rebounds and 6.1 assists over 129 regular-season games.

Since rejoining the Nets, Russell has started two of the team’s four games and is averaging 12.8 points, 2.3 rebounds and 8.3 assists per game.

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JJ Redick praises D'Angelo Russell ahead of return to Crypto.com Arena

LA Lakers coach JJ Redick spoke about D'Angelo Russell ahead of Friday’s matchup, expressing confidence that the guard would be motivated and competitive against his former team.

Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick talks to guard D'Angelo Russell (1) - Source: Imagn

“I expect him (D'Angelo Russell) to come out and try to have a great game. He does not have a lack of competitiveness. He takes a lot of pride in who he is as a player," Redick said.

"I’m expecting him to try to go at us tomorrow. Like you said, he’s going to go against his old team. He’s going to be ready to play us and it’s going to be a fun one. So it’ll be fun to see D-Lo again.”

The game between the LA Lakers (21-17) and the Brooklyn Nets (14-27) is slated to tip off at 10:30 p.m. EST (7:30 p.m. PT). The game can be viewed on TV via YES and Spectrum SportsNet.