D’Angelo Russell is one of six free agents the Nets must decide on this summer.
Believe it or not, the veteran floor general has never tested the open market — not really. After his first stint with Brooklyn in 2019, Russell was signed and traded to the Golden State Warriors in a deal that sent Kevin Durant to the Nets.
In 2023, the Minnesota Timberwolves traded Russell back to the Los Angeles Lakers, where he inked a two-year, $36 million contract. He then exercised his player option for the 2024-25 season and didn’t enter free agency in 2024. The Lakers traded Russell back to Brooklyn in December.
Russell doesn’t fit the Nets’ rebuilding timeline on paper. He’s 29 years old. He’ll be 30 in February. And with four first-round picks and one second-round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, Brooklyn appears to be intent on getting younger.
However, every youthful roster needs a veteran presence or two who can lead by example and share their experiences. If Brooklyn does decide to keep Russell beyond this season, that’s the kind of role it envisions for him.
“I think mentorship is always important,” head coach Jordi Fernandez said. “And you’ve seen it from Dennis [Schroder] from [Dorian Finney-Smith] from [Cam Johnson] from D’Lo. Those guys, even though I consider them still very young and in their prime, are able to talk to the younger guys and help them and hold them accountable when they have to.
“They’ve done a great job. All of these guys. Unfortunately, some of them are not here anymore. D’Lo’s had this role where he’s been vocal because he has experience, he’s gone through the process, he understands what we’re trying to do. He’s been very helpful for everybody else, and he’s been very good himself in his role.”
Russell missed his third straight game on Thursday against the Atlanta Hawks at Barclays Center because of a right ankle sprain. He’s averaged 12.9 points, 2.8 rebounds and 5.6 assists across 29 appearances for Brooklyn this season while shooting just 36.7% from the field. The Nets were 16-34 without him this season.
Johnson (lower back contusion) and Day’Ron Sharpe (right knee sprain) also missed Thursday’s game. The Nets will finish their season with a road game against the Timberwolves on Friday and a home game against the Knicks on Sunday.
“CJ’s pretty sore, same with all three guys, they’re not able to play,” Fernandez said.
