D’Angelo Russell Reflects on Free Agency and Future with Nets

Brooklyn, NY — Veteran point guard D’Angelo Russell expressed his desire to return to the Brooklyn Nets as he heads into unrestricted free agency this summer, but uncertainty looms over his potential future with the team. Amid a competitive market with limited cap space, his fate may not entirely rest in his hands.

“I don’t think it’s in my control, to be honest,” Russell said in an interview with The Post on Saturday. “I’ve been on the team before where everybody was free agents, too. So they’ve got the leverage, they’ve got the cards. If they decide to bring me back, cool. If not, we’ll figure it out.”

Russell, who scored 11 points and recorded eight assists in Saturday’s loss against the top-ranked team, is currently in the final year of a two-year, $36 million contract he signed with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2023. He was acquired by Brooklyn in a trade involving Dorian Finney-Smith on Dec. 29.

“Hope? Yeah. (But) I just want to be in the NBA,” he added before the game at Barclays Center. “I look back on it, I’ve never been a free agent. For me, it’s a weird feeling, but see how it goes. I signed an extension with the Lakers, two years — one-plus-one, player option. I just never hit (free agency). So I’m excited to see.”

The Nets have faced tumultuous times this season, recently enduring a heartbreaking loss to the best team in the league. They are currently positioned 12th in the Eastern Conference with a 23-45 record and are probing for lottery luck in the upcoming NBA Draft.

As Russell and fellow guard Cam Thomas recently have shared the court more frequently, the duo combined for strong performances against the San Antonio Spurs with 36 points and 10 assists. However, the Nets remain winless in their past four games alongside this backcourt pairing. Despite this, Brooklyn’s offensive performance has seen improvements since Russell’s return, climbing to an average of 107 points per game and displaying a shooting accuracy of 43 percent.

“When I got major minutes, I feel like I’ve been one of the best guards in the league in my position,” Thomas said, reflecting on his growth and contributions. He is currently in his rookie contract and is set to become a restricted free agent.

“I definitely want to be back by the end of the day, like I said, we just have to look into that, but whatever happens, happens,” Thomas noted when asked about his potential future with the Nets. Sources suggest he could seek an annual salary of $20-22 million this summer.

Both players will be crucial as the Nets deliberate their offseason roster moves. General Manager Sean Marks must navigate complex decisions regarding the team’s salary cap and which players to retain as they attempt a comeback in the increasingly competitive Eastern Conference.

With March Madness fast approaching, the Nets are also keeping an eye on prospects like Duke’s Cooper Flagg, who could be a significant addition to enhance the team’s prospects moving forward. For now, the future of Russell and Thomas remains uncertain, but both players hope to establish lasting legacies in Brooklyn.