This will be seen following the reported trade networks send Dorian Finney Smith And Shake Milton to the Lakers for D’Angelo Russell, Maxwell Lewis and three second-round picks, Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated (via Twitter) suggested that Russell could be a buyout candidate to watch.

HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto learns that this is not being considered (Twitter link), and the two teams plan for Russell to travel to Brooklyn for a second stint as a Net. The impending free agent made his only All-Star appearance with the team in 2018-19, Scotto notes.

As Spotrac’s Keith Smith writes, a Russell buyout seems unlikely in part because he’s making $18.7 million, well above the mid-level non-taxpayer exemption, so he wouldn’t be eligible to to sign with teams that operate above one of the frontcourts if he were released.

Russell has never been known for his consistency, and that was especially true in ’24-25, when the former No. 2 overall pick saw an overall decline in his averages, including career lows in points (12.4) and minutes per game (26.2). ). The 28-year-old started 510 of the 600 regular season games he appeared in over his 10-year career, but has been on the bench for most of this season, making just 10 appearances in 29 appearances the starting eleven.

Here’s more from Brooklyn:

• The Nets will get their leading scorer back on Sunday against Orlando, tweets Brian Lewis of the New York Post. Cam Thomaspreviously listed as probable, will return to action after missing the last 13 games with a left hamstring strain. Brooklyn went just 4-9 without the 23-year-old – the team’s offense was eighth in the league before the injury, but was 29th in games he missed, according to Lewis (Twitter links). Place. “He’s done a great job getting healthy and ready to play with his teammates… We’re excited to have him back“said head coach Jordi Fernandez. “His teammates were excited. He was excited, had a smile on his face. So it’s a good day for us.”
• Forward Cameron Johnson Lewis was sidelined on Friday with a bruised hip but will be back on Sunday, Lewis added. According to Ian Begley of SNY.tv (Twitter link), rival teams continue to believe the Nets value Johnson and have demanded a high price for him in trade talks, although it’s unclear what specifically they’re looking for in return. The 28-year-old is posting career highs in several statistical categories.
• The Nets’ G League affiliate on Long Island has completed a trade and acquisition Tre Scott and a 2026 NBAGL second-round pick from the Osceola magic in exchange for a big man Patrick Gardner. Scott has two games of experience in the NBA, having already played for Cleveland in 21/22 on a 10-day contract. NBA G League