D'Angelo Russell returned to the Los Angeles Lakers at the deadline ahead of his free agency. Russell wasn't surprised the Minnesota Timberwolves decided to trade him after giving up Andrew Wiggins and a first round pick to acquire him in 2020.

"I felt they couldn’t pay me, so I kind of expected it," said Russell. "I felt like I was gonna outplay my (Timberwolves) offer, whatever they wanted to offer me, and then I’d be in a position where I’d have to make a decision. And I just kind of held my cards tight and let the basketball Gods take over."

Sam Amick of The Athletic asked whether Russell asked for a trade from the Wolves. 

"No, I never asked out," said Russell. "Never. I just felt that (I wanted out) in my gut. I never spoke on it. I never showed that; I just felt it. That’s all."

Russell was asked whether he wants to re-sign with the Lakers.

"I would love to stay here, but I would have loved to be in Minnesota too," said Russell. "So wherever my feet are, that’s where I’m gonna be."