{"id":127125,"date":"2025-03-06T06:24:33","date_gmt":"2025-03-06T11:24:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=127125"},"modified":"2025-03-06T06:24:33","modified_gmt":"2025-03-06T11:24:33","slug":"nets-retaining-dangelo-russell-not-best","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/03\/06\/nets-retaining-dangelo-russell-not-best\/","title":{"rendered":"Retaining D\u2019Angelo Russell May Not Be Best For The Nets"},"content":{"rendered":"

Late in December, the Brooklyn Nets traded Dorian Finney-Smith<\/a> and Shake Milton<\/a> to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Maxwell Lewis<\/a>, D\u2019Angelo Russell,<\/a> and three future second-round picks. Russell, 29, now in his second stint with the Nets, is currently averaging 12.9 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game combined with the Lakers and Brooklyn. However, as they plan for the future, the Nets retaining D\u2019Angelo Russell may not be the wisest decision.<\/p>\n

Photo credit: \u00a9 Michael McLoone-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Nets Retaining D’Angelo Russell May Not Be Best<\/h2>\n

The Nets are currently tied for 11th place in the Eastern Conference with a 21-40 record. With just a little over a month left in the regular season, fans want to forget this year. Narrow losses, blowouts, and trade rumors have marred the 2024-25 season.<\/p>\n

Russell’s return has been one of the few highlights for fans, bringing back memories of his first stint with the franchise from 2017 to 2019. Over the years, Russell’s career journey has taken him to teams such as the Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors, and Minnesota Timberwolves. However, he will become an unrestricted free agent this summer when he concludes his two-year, $36 million deal.<\/p>\n

Russell Is Happy To Be Back With The Nets<\/h3>\n

In January, Russell expressed his satisfaction with being back with the Nets. He told<\/a> Lucas Kaplan of the Nets Daily, \u201cDude, I\u2019ll never take being able to play free basketball like this for granted, again. This is style and a play that \u2014 obviously we got the best performance team as well. They keep guys fresh, they keep guys in shape.” He continued, “They keep them prepared for the minutes and the load that they\u2019re about to play in.”<\/p>\n

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Asked D'Angelo Russell if he feels more comfortable with more experience under Jordi Fern\u00e1ndez. Pretty interesting response:<\/p>\n

"Dude, I'll never take being able to play free basketball like this for granted, again. This is style and a play that — obviously we got the best\u2026<\/p>\n

— Lucas Kaplan (@LucasKaplan_) January 22, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n