D’Angelo Russell (RFA)
In his second year playing in Barclays Center, D’Angelo Russell put up by far the best numbers of his career, scoring over 21 points and dishing out seven assists per game while helping lead the Nets to their first playoff appearance since the retirement home days.
Although he is marred by his lackluster defensive abilities and inconsistent efficiency from the field, the 23-year-old has tons of upside. If Kyrie Irving does decide to join Brooklyn, it’s almost a given that Russell won’t be in black and white colors next season.
With that being said, a potential reunion with the Lakers, although it may seem ridiculous at first glance, isn’t out of the realm of feasibility. Los Angeles will almost certainly have to sign a Patrick Beverley-esque type to make up for the presumed starting lineup’s defensive inefficiencies, but that sounds like a possibility. Minnesota and Phoenix are also in the mix, but it’s looking like they’ll have to give up something due to their current salary cap situations.