The deal that sent D’Angelo Russell to the Brooklyn Nets is widely considered as one of the more surprising trades that happened this summer. He was initially thought of as an important piece of the Los Angeles Lakers for years to come.

When asked if he had a hard time parting ways with the young guard, team president Magic Johnson admitted, via ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk, that it wasn’t at all. He added that when he says goodbye to someone, he doesn’t tend to be emotional and immediately moves on from it. The former league MVP also revealed that five teams inquired about Russell, which made their decision of dealing him easier.

Magic Johnson was asked if it was hard to move on after trading D'Angelo Russell. “I am not one of them dudes,” the Lakers president of basketball operations replied. “When I say bye, that's it. I keep moving. I can't get caught in emotions and all that. That is not who I am. We moved and we kept moving. After that trade we went on to the next thing.” Johnson added, “Like five teams called for D'Angelo [so] we knew that we could move D'Angelo for one of the pieces that we were looking for. So we decided on Brooklyn, they got a great player in D'Angelo and we got what we wanted.”

Now with the Nets, the 21-year-old Ohio State product will have the chance to learn from another former Laker in Jeremy Lin, which could work wonders for his career. He is also expected to play some minutes at the shooting guard position, and take on a bigger role than what he had during his first two seasons in the league.

RECOMMENDED (Article Continues Below)
lebron james nikola jokic

Michael Corvo ·

Austin Reaves, D’Angelo Russell and Rui Hachimura with the Lakers arena in the background, Gabe Vincent Nuggets NBA Playoffs

David Yapkowitz ·

Magic Johnson holding a coaching board with the faces of D'Angelo Russell, Gabe Vincent, Austin Reaves and D'Angelo Russell on it. LeBron James looking serious

Angelo Guinhawa ·

The Lakers on the other hand received Brook Lopez and a first round pick in return, which they used in selecting Kyle Kuzma. Their rebuilding process appears like it will be fast-tracked as they have also added a few key pieces this summer in the hopes of contending for a playoff spot, and becoming a winning group again.

It’s interesting to see how things will pan out for Russell and the Lakers. Although it wasn’t the ending both parties were foreseeing two years ago, it has the makings of becoming a win-win situation, as their current situations could be what’s best for them in the long run.