With the Nets‘ season over following a first-round postseason loss to the Sixers, the focus turns towards Brooklyn’s summer plans. Among the most watched storylines this offseason will be what D’Angelo Russell‘s future holds.
Just 23 years old, Russell is coming off his best season as an NBA talent. A serious candidate for Most Improved Player, Russell set career-highs across every major category, including games played (81 games), PPG (21.1) and APG (7.0).
“He’s obviously one of our more talented players,” general manager Sean Marks said in his exit press conference, per the New York Post. “You said we’ll have decisions. D’Angelo is going to have decisions, too. That is a little bit of the nature of this business. But at the end of the day, our job is to continue to put talent on the floor for Brooklyn.”
There are several directions in which this offseason can go. Brooklyn could just lock up one of its youngest, most dynamic players immediately and avoid a drawn-out discussion on what should be done. Or, the Nets could let Russell explore the market, using their right of first refusal to ultimately match any offer sheet he signs, if they so choose.
Before joining the Nets, Russell had just come off two mostly disappointing, if not controversial, years with the Lakers. In the two seasons since, Russell has become a leader in the Nets’ locker room and been praised around the organization for his maturity and development. Additionally, the Nets figure to be major players for some of the premier free agents on the market this summer — and pairing them with Russell is an enticing possibility.
Need to bring him back, he’s a team leader! Wouldn’t have made the playoffs without him.
Wouldn’t extending a QO to Russell prevent him from unrestricted free agency?
It would. It then gives the Nets the ability to match any offer he receives. Personally I’d do this and just match whatever someone offers him. No one can offer him more and it might save them some $$$.
Agreed. Unless he’s willing to take a discount wait and see what offers come about. If PHX drafts Morant or Garland do they go after DLo? With Fultz in tow and having to sign Vooch does ORL make an offer? Do the Bulls give up on Dunn? Do the Jazz make an offer and try to team him with Mitchell? They’re aren’t anymore teams that need a PG really. If PHX gets 1st pick and drafts Zion then I could see them going after DLo for sure. Especially if Booker asks Jones and Bower to. BKN may end up getting DLo for around 5/100MM if he gets no offers.
What do you mean by no one can offer him more? More than what?
$158 million over 5 years is the max the Nets can offer. Any other team is limited to 4 years and $117 million. Hence the Nets can offer more money as well as years.
lol Lakers
No brainer. He’s a max guy. Give him the offer the first second of free agency. Don’t give him anything to even think about.
The article should have more info and I am dubious that Russell is a lockerrom leader.
link to nypost.com
Russell will want to see what’s out there, as he has worked hard during his salary drive.
He might get a max 4/$117MM offer. GM Marks could go over but that is too much for a player who waited too long to kick it in and might regress once signed.
4/$85 should please everyone concerned. If not, the Nets need forwards more, Levert is better and there’s a fine guard group regardless.
They can just match the best offer he gets, they don’t have to go beyond as they have the right to first refusal. I would say they will let him fish for an offer while they try to sign a couple super stars, that way they have him in their back pocket regardless, that’s why it’s so nice having those rights
I think that’s fair for him. If he wants 5 years then maybe go 5/110mm. KD, Kawhi, Tobias, Butler, Randle, Mirotic, Millsap, Portis, Jaymichal Green and Marcus Morris will all be considered, maybe more, for forward depth. They have 17, 27 and 31 in the draft. I imagine Marks will look into trading Allen Crabbe with one or 2 of those if possible. If they can get rid of Crabbe they’ll have almost 60mm in cap space on top of DLo’s 21mm cap hold.
He is not a max guy. Good player, not a max. Nets can makes him restricted and wait to see how the market runs.
Nets should consider better FA options if Russell claims for too much.
Sign him to a max & get rid of Dinwiddie via trade, dead weight.
You think he’s worth 5/$158? $32MM per year? That’s the max for the Nets. Info via @DynamiteAdams, sounds right.
Dinwiddie is a kingmaker! Levert will be the next guy getting the max talk.
Can they get Kyrie and Durant? If so, goodbye DRussell!