After expressing multiple times in March that he’d like to remain in Brooklyn beyond this season, Nets guard D’Angelo Russell reiterated that desire in an exclusive interview with Erik Slater of ClutchPoints.com.
“A lot of teams are rebuilding, but to be here and see this team rebuilding with the pieces that they have, I think the league will be on notice. They were on notice this year,” Russell said. “This group had a lot of good wins before I got here, and then when I got here, we beat a lot of good teams as well. I think just what the future holds with this group [is why I want to be back]. Obviously, what (head coach) Jordi (Fernandez) and (general manager) Sean (Marks) are creating, I’m familiar with it. Being somewhere familiar is something I’m definitely prioritizing.”
In 29 games with the Nets this season, Russell is averaging 12.9 points and 5.6 assists per contest. Even though his numbers have dipped since last season, he’s excited by the idea of serving as a mentor for the young Nets.
We have more from New York:
- With several new faces expected to join the team in this year’s draft (Brooklyn holds four first-round picks), the Nets‘ young players know they’re auditioning for roles moving forward, the New York Post’s Brian Lewis writes. “We’re not just out there playing,” big man Drew Timme said. “A lot of us are interviewing for our jobs.” Timme, Jalen Wilson, Keon Johnson, Tyrese Martin and Maxwell Lewis all have team options for next season, while other young players like Cam Thomas, Ziaire Williams, Trendon Watford, Day’Ron Sharpe and Reece Beekman all are slated to reach free agency.
- The Knicks went 1-11 combined in games against the Cavaliers, Celtics and Pistons this season and heading into a first-round matchup with Detroit, New York will need its wings to step up defensively and bear the responsibility of guarding Cade Cunningham, SNY’s Ian Begley writes. Specifically, the Knicks will be relying in the series on two players on whom they spent significant trade capital: Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby.
- New York’s 1-11 record against those three teams this season was clinched when the Knicks blew a 23-point lead against the Cavs on Friday. Ahead of the playoffs, the Knicks are seeking urgency, Chris Herring of ESPN writes. “We’ve got to get it fixed, and we’ve got to get it fixed fast,” coach Tom Thibodeau said after Friday’s loss. “[We need to fix] everything. We’ve got to play for 48 minutes on both sides of the ball.“
I wrote this a month ago as well but if I’m NY, I’m not happy about playing the Pistons in Round one. That’s gonna be a tough series for them.
D’Lo doesn’t understand he will be lucky to get a try out this summer. He is now a bench player for offense. He will be competing with a dozen others for the same 10 minutes a game off the bench.
Russel isn’t going to have a problem getting a job next year.
Here is what you are missing. He will not be getting offers other than minimum contracts. He will wait out until its too late and take anything available. Only reason Nets took him was to free up money this off season knowing its a expiring contract.
good riddance. i couldn’t believe Marks brought him back, but I guess it was part of his strategy to sabotage the team this season. The idea that D’Lo is better than Luke Kennard is silly now.
That was to free up the $16 million owed to Smith for next year. Nets can do a lot on the offseason since they will be the most under the cap of any team for free agents.
D-Lo is straight garbage, why does he get reported on like he’s a star?
Because people like you give bums nicknames like they are someone important.
I gave him the nickname D-Lo? You heard it here first! I totally dont use less letters to refer to players when possible on here.
DDC is a straight clown for this reply!
Can’t guard. Refuse to box out. Get exposed on every screen. Too much dribble Jalen. Hart can’t shoot. With Mitch on court, they’re playing 3 on 5 offensively. Live in city. Waiting years. Unfortunately will wait some more. Thibs isn’t the problem. The roster is. Too many small guards getting violated by more athletic bigger guards. Going nowhere if they refuse to guard, box the f out and hit open 3’s. And stow up to start the game and hit some frickin 3’s like most teams. I was nauseous watching them last night while freezing during yanks game. Had a blast inside though. Enjoy the playoffs boys!
Can’t blame them for pushing their chips in, but they were better last year. But now they’re all in on this starting 5..
Russell wants a new contract. He is coming off 18.6 mill. Something he will never see again. Only way I see him coming back. Is if Nets draft a PG. This way they can ease him in. I still would find another option. You don’t need him showing young players how to steal money in NBA.
Sure would like to see Knicks buying one of those picks. Can pick up 4 there.
Didn’t realize Knicks were 1-3 vs Pistons. Doesn’t tell the whole story. Knicks were down players Dec 7 missing Towns. April 10 no OG or Hart. Still its eye opening. I still see them as favorites over Pistons. I’m taking it one game at a time. They better be ready. Can’t see Thibs not drilling this into their heads. Can’t even think about next round. Just glad we are healthy and ready.
I do Agree Bridges is the key in this series. He should get the most mins on Cade. Cade has been on a tear. I like him a lot. Bridges better show up. Time to show your worth “2WayBridges” …… NYK
I’m not looking past the first round. Never really do. But I don’t think a 50 win team. Has ever been 1-11 against the three teams they could face in playoffs.
Interesting huh ……
Knicks rolled the dice on Bridges and Towns. Both have shown their flaws. Flaws that get magnified. Cause Knicks never fixed their bench. Mitch is playing now. Landry has shown more offense. And everyone is healthy. Knicks can go 10 deep. That’s if Thibs chooses to. All about going forward now.
TJ were are you ??
> Has ever been 1-11 against the three teams they could
> face in playoffs.
Al, an honest question(s) to a hard-core Knicks fan from somebody who’s not: why have the Knicks lost all these games to good teams?
(Coincidence is an acceptable answer, IMO. But I really don’t know.)
I don’t buy into the argument that outside of Brunson none of the players have been winners at the NBA level. But do you think that, given these losses and the narrative, this team now has something to prove to themselves?