Fansided

NBA Free Agency 2019: 20 best players available

By Brendon Kleen

Mandatory Credit: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
Mandatory Credit: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images /
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NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 20: D’Angelo Russell #1 of the Brooklyn Nets handles the ball against Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers during Game Four of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs at Barclays Center on April 20, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. 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. (Photo by Matteo Marchi/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 20: D’Angelo Russell #1 of the Brooklyn Nets handles the ball against Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers during Game Four of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs at Barclays Center on April 20, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. 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. (Photo by Matteo Marchi/Getty Images) /

6. D’Angelo Russell, G, Brooklyn Nets, Restricted (?)

That little question mark up there is in response to the sudden and remarkably strong connection between Brooklyn and Kyrie Irving, touched on a few slides ago. Signing Irving alone would not require the Nets to renounce Russell’s qualifying offer, make him an unrestricted free agent, and renounce their rights to him.

It would be a dramatic change of heart from the good vibes of early 2019 when Russell’s come-up was the talk of the league and the Nets were a young, up-and-coming success story. Russell looked set to grow with Spencer Dinwiddie, Caris LeVert and Jarrett Allen, but Irving has changed all that, making Russell suddenly very much available.

From plugged-in Nets reporter Anthony Puccio:

"“Multiple Nets players and members of the staff tell NetsDaily they believe they’ll be playing with Irving this upcoming season … and not D’Angelo Russell. There’s belief within the organization that Kyrie is nearly a “done deal” and if that’s the case, Russell is unlikely to return.”"

Everyone from Indiana to Orlando to Utah to Minnesota has been connected with Russell — basically, every playoff team that needs an upgrade at point guard. He may also be on the radar for the Suns or Bulls, depending on what happens in the draft.

Despite an abundance of good point guards in the NBA, the amount of teams reportedly interested in Russell is setting him up to be paid nicely. A maximum contract certainly seems to be in the cards for him.

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