Brooklyn Nets: It’s now or never for D’Angelo Russell in 2018-19
For Brooklyn Nets point guard D’Angelo Russell, who has gotten off to an up and down start to his career, it’s now or never heading into the 2018-19 NBA season
Many applauded the Los Angeles Lakers for their forward-thinking when they selected D’Angelo Russell over Jahlil Okafor with the second overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft.
Three years later, neither one of those players has exactly shot up to stardom and both have bounced around, at least somewhat, to begin their careers.
For D’Angelo Russell, though, heading into year 4 of his career, it’s now or never. Entering his second season with the Brooklyn Nets, Russell hasn’t exactly been a complete bust but he’s still left much to be desired.
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Russell, in 48 games played this past season, averaged 15.5 points, 5.2 assists and 3.9 rebounds. All around solid statistics, no question. However, his shooting percentages tell a different story.
Over the first three years of his career, he’s barely shot over 40 percent from the field and is coming off a career-worst 32 percent shooting from 3-point range showing last year. For a player that was selected No. 2 overall just a handful of years ago, this simply isn’t enough.
In year 4, it’s kind of where the Nets have to make a decision on Russell. Especially considering that Russell could hit the restricted free agency market next summer. Brooklyn needs to get a good grip on what Russell can be – or what he is – before the end of the 2018-19 NBA season.
At the same time, the same could be said on the other hand. Russell needs to establish himself as a potential building block this season.
While he has produced throughout his young career, he hasn’t done enough to prove that he can be a difference-maker in the NBA. And there’s a big difference between a nice player and a difference-maker.
Difference makers get big, fat contracts. Nice players…don’t.
D’Angelo Russell is in a place where he can carve out a nice home for him. The Brooklyn Nets have been dying for a new face of the franchise and a star that can carry them to the next phase in their storied history. Russell has all the opportunity to be that player.
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Thus far, he hasn’t been able to make the jump. This could finally be the year that he accomplishes that, though.