Nothin' But Nets
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Brooklyn Nets: D’Angelo Russell-Spencer Dinwiddie backcourt a risk

By Phil Watson

BROOKLYN, NY - MARCH 21: Spencer Dinwiddie #8 and D'Angelo Russell #1 of the Brooklyn Nets during the game against the Charlotte Hornets on March 21, 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 21: Spencer Dinwiddie #8 and D'Angelo Russell #1 of the Brooklyn Nets during the game against the Charlotte Hornets on March 21, 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
LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 19: D’AngeloRussell #1 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Nick Young #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers talk during the game against the San Antonio Spurs on February 19, 2016 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. 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 2016 NBAE (Photo by Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Growing pains and missteps in L.A.

On the other coast, D’Angelo Russell experienced some growing pains. He made the All-Rookie second team in 2015-16, averaging 13.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.2 steals in 28.2 minutes per game as a part-time starter, with a slash line of .410/.351/.737.

But the big story involving Russell’s first NBA campaign happened off the court, when the rookie leaked a video of a private conversation with teammate Nick Young, in which Young talked about his engagement to rapper Iggy Azalea while also discussing other women.

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That led to Russell becoming isolated in the locker room and at club functions.

In his second season, Russell struggled through injuries to both knees and was limited to 63 games, though his production improved to 15.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.4 steals in roughly the same amount of playing time (28.7 minutes a game).

His shooting was basically the same as his rookie season at .405/.352/.782.

Russell was shipped along with Timofey Mozgov to the Nets on draft night in 2017, with franchise icon Brook Lopez and the rights to first-round pick Kyle Kuzma going to the Lakers.

He got off to a strong start with his new club, averaging 20.9 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.7 assists in 27.7 minutes per game on .463/.300/.683 shooting through the team’s first 13 games, in which he appeared in 12.

But another injury to his left knee required arthroscopic surgery and Russell was sidelined for two months.

He wasn’t the same player upon his return. Over his final 36 games, Russell made 23 starts and averaged 13.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 5.0 assists in 25.0 minutes a game, while his shooting fell off to .392/.330/.794.