D'Angelo Russell.
Say the name amongst fans and you will get many reactions, from admiration to disdain or indifference.
For those who speak glowingly of him, there's a blend of nostalgia and appreciation for what Russell brings to the table. He is ours. Drafted back in 2015, he became part of the 'Baby Lakers, ' a term coined to describe the Lakers young core from the originals — Russell, Julius Randle and Jordan Clarkson — to future iterations, such as Alex Caruso and Lonzo Ball.
His return last season to the Lakers via trade brought back the prodigal son and helped the team go on a deep playoff run, which was inconceivable at the start of the season when the Lakers won two of their first twelve games.