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Former teammate nearly caused D’Angelo Russell to leave the Lakers.

D’Angelo Russell has been the most polarizing player on the Los Angeles Lakers this season and it has not been particularly close. Stemming back to last year’s Western Conference Finals where he struggled and was benched, Russell has played under a beaming spotlight all season long with narratives and headlines flying around his head.

Russell was floated around as the most available trade chip on the Lakers leading up to the trade deadline. And to be fair, Russell’s past did warrant some of these conversations. Russell’s play in the past has not been the most consistent, and there is a reason why several different contending teams were willing to part ways with him so quickly.

This all motivated Russell, who has truly turned a corner over the last month and has been the Lakers’ best player not named Anthony Davis. Russell not only justified the Lakers’ decision not to trade him, but has looked like the player who the Lakers were hoping to get at the trade deadline.

So what changed? Outside of extra motivation from the trade rumors and the fact that he is playing for a new contract, a roadblock for D’Lo was cleared in the offseason. Russell has not only played better for the Lakers but has seemingly developed a better relationship with head coach Darvin Ham. Surprisingly enough, this seems to all stem from the fact that Russell no longer has to compete with fellow veteran point guard Dennis Schroder, who left during the summer (h/t Dave McMenamin, ESPN).