Nets’ D’Angelo Russell feels ‘free’ after Lakers trade

D’Angelo Russell adapts to a prominent role with Brooklyn Nets after trade from Los Angeles Lakers. After a torrid start to the season in Los Angeles under head coach JJ Redick, he is enjoying the transition.

“I will never take for granted the opportunity to play free basketball again,” Russell said Tuesday. “I’m just adjusting, recalibrating a style of play that I haven’t played in a while. Having the ball, knowing that I will receive the ball and create for the guys as well. Knowing that he would return. I’m just finding ways to gain the coach’s trust where he feels like he can put the ball in my hands and know I’m going to get it to the right guy.

I’m just playing. As I said, I will not take this level of freedom for granted. I just came from where I came from, it’s a different style. Because I’m here, I just accept it.”

Russell played an important role in the Lakers’ offense last season after they reacquired him from the Minnesota Timberwolves at the 2023 trade deadline. He averaged 18.0 points and 6.3 assists while shooting a career-high 41.5 percent from three-for-7 ,2 attempts per game.

However, his role diminished early this season after Redick took over. Clip of the newly hired head coach reacting violently Russell’s three-point attempt went viral during a Nov. 6 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. Redick moved the veteran point guard to the bench next game, i The Lakers traded him with three picks in the second round for Dorian Finney-Smith on 29 December.

The deal marked the second time Los Angeles traded its former second pick to Brooklyn, having dealt him for Brook Lopez and a late 2017 first-round pick.

D’Angelo Russell is enjoying a starring role with the Nets after the Lakers’ turmoil

Russell played the best basketball of his career during his first stint in Brooklyn, he averaged 19.0 points and 6.3 assists per game on 43/36/77 shooting over two seasons. The Ohio State product earned All-Star honors in 2018-19 while leading the rebuilding Nets to the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference.

This year’s team has a different agenda during the mound season. However, Russell enjoyed a similar starring role, averaging 14.6 points per game on 40/37/96 shooting. Since joining the Nets, he ranks seventh in the NBA in assists (8.3 per game) and fifth in assist-to-turnover ratio (3.95) among the 26 players averaging over six steals per game.

While the Nets are 2-4 when Russell has played, they have been competitive on the floor. The 28-year-old posted a -0.6 box plus-minus, the team’s best mark among players averaging over 20 minutes per game.

Russell had 23 points and 10 assists with three turnovers in Tuesday’s 99-95 loss to the New York Knicks. He kept Brooklyn in the game for long stretches, finishing a team-best +5 in 31 minutes.

“His impact on the group was very positive,” head coach Jordi Fernandez said after the game. “He is an excellent ball handler, playmaker and scorer.” He affects the game in many ways and understands the game. He communicates, so having that voice and that experience there makes everyone feel better. It makes me feel better, but I’m not playing, and it also makes his teammates better because he makes things easy for everyone else.”

Although he was impressive when he was on the floor, Russell battled injuries as he adjusted to a tougher role with Brooklyn. Since joining the team, he has missed five of 12 games with a calf and calf ailment.

“For me, my body is not prepared for this.” I haven’t prepared for this all season, all summer, so it’s an adjustment for me. “My body is also adjusting,” he said. “I just (have to) keep listening to the coaching staff. They put me in the best position to adjust mid-season and not be vulnerable.

While winning won’t be Brooklyn’s top priority during the second half of the season, Russell is playing for what could be his last significant NBA payday. The soon-to-be 29-year-old will be an unrestricted free agent this summer.