The Jazz, Magic, Timberwolves, and Pacers are among the teams expected to display interest in D’Angelo Russell when he hits the free agent market this summer, reports Shams Charania of The Athletic. Of course, since Russell will be a restricted free agent, the Nets will open the offseason in the driver’s seat to retain him.
With the Nets expected to be in the hunt for top free agents like Kawhi Leonard and Kyrie Irving, Russell may have to be patient and wait for those stars to make decisions before Brooklyn moves on him, as he acknowledged earlier this week. However, a rival suitor could speed up his free agency timeline by putting a huge offer sheet on the table, forcing the Nets to decide whether or not to match that offer once the July moratorium ends.
Still, the teams named by Charania as probable suitors for Russell don’t look particularly well-equipped to put together that sort of lucrative offer sheet. Neither the Timberwolves nor the Magic project to have any cap room available, and the mid-level exception obviously won’t be enough to make a serious play for the All-Star point guard.
The Jazz have a clearer path to creating cap space, but they might need to waive Derrick Favors to create the necessary room, which would be a risky play without any assurances that the Nets wouldn’t match an offer sheet for Russell. Tony Jones of The Athletic suggests (via Twitter) that Utah would only be interested if Russell becomes unrestricted or if it’s clear the Nets won’t match.
The Pacers are the one team in the aforementioned group with the cap flexibility required to make a strong bid for Russell, though they have plenty of moving parts to consider too, with a handful of starters and rotation players up for new deals.
Russell, who set new career highs in 2018/19 with 21.1 PPG, 7.0 APG, a .434 FG%, and a .369 3PT%, would be eligible to sign for up to $158MM over five years with the Nets, based on current cap projections. The most a rival team could offer would be about $117MM for four years.
I would love for the wolves to get him. I just don’t see how it is possible.
Sign and trade for Teague and pick.
I just don’t see that being appealing for Brooklyn, ya know?
Would only be appealing with multiple picks, if at all
They can show all the interest they want. Unless the Nets hire Steve Mills, he’s not going anywhere. RFAs do tend to wait. But he could always force the matter by threatening (nicely) to sign an offer sheet above his cap hold; at which point the Nets likely agree to that number without making him actually sign the offer sheet.
Pacers would be an interesting fit as well
What is the Bulls’ cap situation looking like? I feel like Russell would fit the Bulls like a glove if they could find a defensive PG to back him up.
I think the Bulls barely have enough room for a 4/117 offer, but the Nets would probably match it, wisely or not.
Unless the rumor is true and the Nets get Irving.
Bulls have enough cap space to offer him. max contract.
I have the Bulls at close to $24MM in space if they get Asik’s cap charge removed and renounce/waive all their non-guaranteed guys and free agents.
Not quite enough for a full max for Russell, but not far off.
Once they stretch Felicio they’ll have enough.
If they made this move I would maybe start thinking about going to games again. That would be a very potent lineup. BTW, the backup guard with defensive ability is on the team, his name is Kris Dunn.
If Kyrie deciding on Brooklyn makes this happen, I would send him a Christmas card.
At 5% raises, Starting at 24 only gets to a 4/103.
Stretching Felicio saves $5.019 and holding Arcidiacona costs $1.89. 24+5-1.9=27.1 with 5% raises is:
4yrs/$116.8MM, apx.the target figure!
But the Bulls would only have two bigs left, Markanon & Carter.
At least that will make the Nets poorer matching it, if nothing else.
Luke- those offseason digests should have a slot on the “features” page, like the glossaries.
Yeah, I’ll be posting a landing page tomorrow that has them all in one place and adding that link to the Features page/sidebar.
He would fit best on the Magic
If Irving goes to nets, Russell is going somewhere. Pacers should pass….got to give Holliday real minutes.