Nothin' But Nets
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Brooklyn Nets: Which current players should be part of long-term plan?

By Chris Milholen

BROOKLYN, NY - MARCH 25: The Brooklyn Nets bench celebrates during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on March 25, 2018 at 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
BROOKLYN, NY - MARCH 25: The Brooklyn Nets bench celebrates during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on March 25, 2018 at 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Brooklyn Nets
BOSTON, MA – APRIL 11: D’Angelo Russell #1 of the Brooklyn Nets looks to pass the ball while guarded by Shane Larkin #8 of the Boston Celtics during a game at TD Garden on April 11, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /

D’Angelo Russell

D’Angelo Russell is a must-keep guard for the Brooklyn Nets. Russell arrived in Brooklyn via trade from the Los Angeles Lakers almost one year ago.

Brooklyn traded Brook Lopez and their 27th overall pick in last year’s NBA Draft for Russell and Timofey Mozgov.

When the trade was announced, Nets fans were excited about the addition of Russell, but Lopez’s departure was bittersweet.

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    • Russell was very excited for a new beginning in Brooklyn. He would be able to get every chance to prove his worth as a former No. 2 overall pick, while having less pressure on him at the same time.

    He would end up having an up-and-down season but proved he has potential.

    In his Nets debut, Russell lit up the scoreboard. He shot 4-for-8 from behind the arc, ending his night with 30 points against the Indiana Pacers.

    Over Russell’s first 12 games, he averaged 20.9 points and 5.7 assists per game.

    But just when  everything was working for Russell, disaster hit.

    In the closing minutes against the Utah Jazz on Nov. 11, Russell went down with an apparent knee injury which would lead to arthroscopic knee surgery. He would end up being sidelined in a suit for the next two months.

    The 22-year-old guard would return on Jan. 19, but was put on a minutes restriction for the next couple of games. He would return to the starting lineup on Feb. 22 against the Charlotte Hornets.

    Russell would play good basketball for the remainder of the season. He did not play at his top form, but played consistently in the final months of the season.

    His season-high was on Oct. 31 against the Phoenix Suns scoring 33 points. He ended his first season with the Nets averaging 15.5 points and 5.2 assists per game in 48 games.

    The 22-year-old guard will be a huge part of Brooklyn’s future. He has said he wants to stay in Brooklyn for a long time and bring back winning to this franchise.