8 points, 9 seconds
Fansided

Should the Indiana Pacers pursue D’Angelo Russell in free agency?

By Jordan Brandenburg

BROOKLYN, NY - APRIL 18: D'Angelo Russell #1 of the Brooklyn Nets looks on against the Philadelphia 76ers during Game Three of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs on April 18, 2019 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
BROOKLYN, NY - APRIL 18: D'Angelo Russell #1 of the Brooklyn Nets looks on against the Philadelphia 76ers during Game Three of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs on April 18, 2019 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
D'Angelo Russell, Pacers free agent target
BROOKLYN, NY – FEBRUARY 14: D’Angelo Russell #1 of the Brooklyn Nets shoots the ball during the game against the Indiana Pacers on February 14, 2018 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Matteo Marchi/NBAE via Getty Images) /

D’Angelo Russell’s path to the Pacers

Earlier this week, the Brooklyn Nets shipped Allen Crabbe and the 17th pick in this month’s draft to Atlanta in exchange for Taurean Prince. The move allowed them to clear enough cap space to potentially sign a player to a max-contract, with enough left over to retain D’Angelo Russell.

However, Brooklyn has frequently been named as a possible destination for marquee free agents such as Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant. If the Nets want to add two max-players, they would need to waive Russell’s $21 million cap hold, which would also mean their point guard is no longer a restricted free agent.

Regardless of what they decide to do with Russell’s contract, the Pacers can offer the All-Star guard a deal either way. At the very least, Brooklyn would have the opportunity to match the offer if they opt to retain Russell’s rights. With other teams being interested in acquiring him as well, the Pacers need to determine how much they’d be willing to offer on a deal, let alone if they’d match a max contract he may receive from another team.

More from Pacers Free Agency

Russell is coming off his best season and first All-Star appearance after averaging 21.1 points, 7.0 assists and 3.9 rebounds per game. He shot 43.4% overall from the floor and 36.9% from deep, both of which were career highs. After a slow start to the season, the point guard led a young Nets team to finish 6th overall in the Eastern Conference, which yielded Brooklyn their first playoff appearance in four years.

Coincidentally, the Brooklyn Net was selected to replace Victor Oladipo in the All-Star game after Indiana’s leader injured his knee. In 81 games played, Russell notched 14 double-doubles, tied for 8th among all point guards.

At just 23 years old, the pending free agent has yet to reach his prime and his full potential remains to be seen. As Indiana’s front office seeks to build a contending team in a conference that is growing exponentially stronger, could Russell be the piece to bring the Pacers to the next level?

As with any All-Star, the player has some facets of his game that could immediately impact a team in a positive way.

Home/Pacers Free Agency