NBA: Lakers Will Be Playoff Team - D'Angelo Russel

D'Angelo Russell is the most important player on the Los Angeles Lakers roster heading into his rookie season. That's a lot of pressure to put on a 19-year-old who has never played in an official NBA game, but the No. 2 pick in June's draft won't be intimidated by it.

In an interview with Alex Kennedy of BasketballInsiders.com, Russell said his expectation is to be the NBA's best rookie in 2015-16: “I have been grinding all summer to put myself in that position."

The pressure on Russell is already high because the Lakers are very much in a transition period. Kobe Bryant is in the final year of his contract, and general manager Mitch Kupchak has said the former MVP could retire after the season.