Russell 'definitely' wants to stay with Nets after career year
Brooklyn Nets guard D'Angelo Russell finally lived up to his potential this season, becoming an All-Star for the first time in his career and pushing the franchise to its first playoff appearance since 2015.
Russell will enter the summer as a restricted free agent, and though he hopes to continue his promising career in Brooklyn, the 23-year-old understands anything can happen.
"I definitely want to be here. But I also know it's a business, too. So I'm not going to play that role like I don't know what could possibly happen," Russell said, according to ESPN's Ian Begley. "Say somebody comes here that I have to be a part of (a transaction to acquire them), I know that could be a possibility. So I just want to stay in this moment and not speak too soon about anything."
Russell understands the business side of the Association better than most after the Los Angeles Lakers dealt him to the Nets in 2017 despite being a former No. 2 overall pick. It was essentially a cap-cutting move by Los Angeles to unload the remaining three years on Timofey Mozgov's contract.
With approximately enough cap space to sign two players to max deals, the Nets are expected to be active in the offseason as they pursue multiple marquee free agents.
After averaging 21.1 points and seven assists in 81 appearances this season, Russell is among the favorites to win Most Improved Player for 2018-19.