The Lakers are taking the next step as they try to land D'Angelo Russell.
According to a report from ESPN, Los Angeles has reached out to the guard's agents, Austin Brown and Aaron Mintz, at CAA to set up a meeting with the All-Star.
The Lakers and Russell share a mutual interest in a reunion, the report noted, and the team has the cap space to sign him.
The Los Angeles Lakers reached out to D'Angelo Russell's agents at CAA -- Austin Brown and Aaron Mintz -- to set up a meeting with the All-Star guard, league sources tell ESPN. The Lakers and Russell share a mutual interest in a reunion. Lakers have the cap space to sign him.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 29, 2019
The guard was drafted by the Lakers but eventually traded to the Nets soon after.
Russell will be a restricted free agent after the Nets extended a qualifying offer, The Athletic reported Friday, and will be fielding multiple offers when free agency begins 6 p.m. ET Sunday.
Sources: Brooklyn has extended a qualifying offer to All-Star free agent D’Angelo Russell, making him a restricted free agent.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 28, 2019
Russell averaged a career-high 21.1 points and 7.0 assists while shooting 36.9 percent from 3-point range in 81 games in 2018-19.
The Nets exceeded expectations and reached the playoffs for the first time since 2014-15. They were topped by the 76ers in five games in their first round series.
"If we're being completely honest, I enjoyed the team that we had this whole season," Russell told The New York Post about free agency earlier this month. "I'm not going to say I didn't enjoy our team, and the pieces we had around."
The Nets have seemingly moved on from the young star and are one of the teams pursing Kyrie Irving. The former Celtics guard is said to be working toward signing a four-year, $141 million deal with the Nets on Sunday.
Meanwhile, other teams are looking at Russell including the Suns, who "really want" to add the guard.
Russell, however, could have another incentive to return to LA.
The former Laker is nearing the end of his shoe deal with Nike. According to a report from ESPN, a move back to the city could increase offers on a new deal.
D’Angelo Russell’s Nike shoe deal is set to expire this fall as well. Brands already have massive interest in the All-Star, but a move to LA would escalate his offers. https://t.co/3LaZHRCaoF
— Nick DePaula (@NickDePaula) June 29, 2019
Russell spent the 2015 to 2017 seasons with the Lakers before he was traded to the Nets in exchange for Brook Lopez and the rights to Kyle Kuzma.