Considering that the NBA implemented new CBA rules for this season, no player has accomplished what D’Angelo Russell has.]

According to Sporac’s Keith Smith, the Los Angeles Lakers decided to settle their business early in the free agency period by re-signing point guard D’Angelo Russell to a two-year, $36 million contract. However, when Russell signed his contract, he became the first player under the new NBA Collective Bargaining Agreement to waive an implied no-trade clause.

L.A. Lakers News – D’Angelo Russell

The Los Angeles Lakers traded nine-time NBA all-star Russell Westbrook to the Minnesota Timberwolves and Utah Jazz in order to reacquire D’Angelo Russell during the February trade deadline.

After the Lakers selected the 27-year-old with the second overall choice in the 2015 NBA Draft, he played for the team for just two seasons before being traded to the Brooklyn Nets. Later, on ESPN First Take in 2019, Magic Johnson, who was then the president of basketball operations, disclosed that Russell’s trade was the consequence of an off-court incident involving former player Nick Young and Snapchat during his rookie campaign.

As Lakers General Manager Rob Pelinka had hinted at, the L.A. Lakers secured “continuity” heading into the upcoming season by re-signing D’Angelo Russell along with Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura.

What did D’Angelo Russell become the first NBA player to do with his contract?

D’Angelo Russell became the first player to waive his implied no-trade clause under the NBA’s new Collective Bargaining Agreement, according to Keith Smith of Spotrac.

“It’s believed Russell is the first player to agree to waive an implied no-trade clause,” the NBA writer stated. The new CBA contains this new rule. Players can waive their implied non-transfer covenant (NTC) at the time of signing, rather than only at the time of trade, if they have one because they would lose their Bird rights if dealt.

According to Jovan Buha of The Athletic, he agreed to waive his implied no-trade clause. This is a big deal for the Lakers because it limits their ability to make roster changes before the trade deadline.

This was reported after it was confirmed that D’Lo’s two-year contract with the Lakers consisted of $36 million guaranteed, as well as including $700k in incentives per year, with the second season being a player option.

How did D’Angelo Russell perform last season?

The 6’4″ point-guard, who was acquired by the Purple and Gold during the trade deadline, immediately improved the offensive output of the Lakers and established a rapport with franchise players LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

The 2019 All-Star averaged 17.4 points, 6.1 assists, and 2.9 rebounds in his 17 games with the squad, shooting 48.4% from the field and 41.4% from three-point range, according to StatMuse.

The Lakers added reinforcements in the form of Miami Heat playoff starter Gabe Vincent during free agency, even though the team struggled offensively throughout the playoffs. According to The Athletic, this also creates some competition for the starting point-guard spot throughout training camp.

The new CBA rules give the Lakers the opportunity to move Russell this season, but all signs point to their keeping him on the roster as they try to build on their success from last season, which included reaching the Western Conference finals.