Lakers' D'Angelo Russell on benching -- 'Whatever it takes' - ESPN

LOS ANGELES — For the second straight season, D'Angelo Russell was in the Lakers' starting unit on opening night only to be moved to the bench in response to the team grappling with an early losing spell.

Only this time, after Friday's 116-106 win over the Philadelphia 76ers, Russell sounded completely at peace with the move.

«I just wanted to win,» Russell said after scoring 18 points on 7-for-12 shooting with three assists as a reserve. «So whatever it took, change of plans, whatever it is, whatever Coach needs, try to get the win and be a part of that.»

Cam Reddish taking Russell's place marked the first strategic adjustment to the starters made by first-year coach JJ Redick this season.

Redick did not hold an open competition for the starters in training camp, naming LeBron James, Austin Reaves, Anthony Davis, Rui Hachimura and Russell as his first five before the preseason began, citing their 18-6 record together in 2023-24.

Russell only found his place with that starting five, however, after losing his job in late December with L.A. in the midst of a 1-5 skid.

Former Lakers coach Darvin Ham, whom Russell struggled to connect with at times, kept him with the second unit until mid-January.

«I left all that, all my baggage at the door this summer once we changed coaches and new staff came in,» Russell said of the difference in his digesting Redick's decision. «I was committed to whatever it takes. That's what y'all see now.»

The adjustment came after L.A. stumbled on its recent road trip, going 1-4, ending with a 131-114 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies when Redick benched Russell midway through the third quarter and played him just 22 minutes total, a season low.

Before Redick called timeout to sub Russell out of the