LeBron James has made his feelings clear on D'Angelo Russell after his dig at 'unprofessional' Lakers

LeBron James has already made clear what he feels about D’Angelo Russell after the former LA Lakers star was accused of throwing shade at his former team.

James, 40, and Russell, 29, played together at the Lakers between 2023 and 2024 before the 29-year-old signed for the Brooklyn Jets. He then moved to the Dallas Mavericks on a two-year deal in July of this year.

Russell also enjoyed a stint at the Lakers earlier in his career between 2015 and 2017.

However, Russell was recently accused of disrespecting his former club during an interview with Wy Network by Dwayne Wade.

“The organisation of Brooklyn is different,” Russell said. “It’s unlike any other. The performance, team, coach, everything about Brooklyn is different than what you would expect. And I’ve been around the league, where I came from the Lakers, where the structure is not the same.

D’Angelo Russell opens up about the difference of structure being on the Lakers versus the Nets:

“I came from the Lakers where the structure is not the same, and then I go to Brooklyn where it’s all structure and it taught me how to be a professional.” 💯 pic.twitter.com/tkElY9gh2M

— Wy Network by Dwyane Wade (@wynetwork) August 6, 2025

“I always approached the game to where I was nonchalant manner, and I felt like I could just wing it. They taught me how to be a professional, how to sleep, how to eat, how to recover.”

So, what does ‘King James’ make of his former teammate?

Well, he has not addressed Russell’s most recent comments, but he was quick to recognise the 29-year-old’s contributions towards the Lakers in December 2024.

Speaking to journalist Jovan Buha, James said: "First of all, big shout-out to D-L (D’Angelo Russell) and Max-Lew (Maxwell Lewis).

“They're brothers of ours, and we hate to see anyone leave at any point of the season. But obviously, [they] bring experience, toughness, and a winning mentality.”

And although LeBron has not spoken about Russell often, it is widely reported that the pair have a good relationship as the 40-year-old regularly recognised Russell’s achievements at the Lakers.

Meanwhile, Russell has praised James on several occasions.

“Bron is one of those guys that you can learn more from by sitting back and listening, watching," Russell said on The Backyard Podcast in 2024.

“He’s a smart dude; he knows all the rebuttals, answers, responses, answers to that. He knows the little knick-knacks to this, rules. He’s a very smart dude. For me, I feel like I benefit a lot when I’m just listening to him. Just watching. It may even be from a distance.”