NBA Rumors: D'Angelo Russell A Buyout Candidate With Nets?

The Los Angeles Lakers’ trade for Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton from the Brooklyn Nets, in exchange for D’Angelo Russell, Maxwell Lewis, and three second-round picks, is already generating plenty of NBA discussion.

One intriguing storyline that’s emerged from the deal comes from Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated, who suggested that Russell could be a potential buyout candidate after the trade.

However, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, a buyout is not being considered, and the Nets are planning to have Russell return for his second stint with the team.

Russell, 28, made his lone NBA All-Star appearance with Brooklyn back in 2019 and will now have the chance to add to his legacy with the Nets once more. While his play in Los Angeles has been marked by inconsistency, especially in the 2024-25 season, the move back to Brooklyn could provide him with a fresh start.

Scotto further reports that Russell’s situation isn’t as simple as a potential buyout, noting that his contract — worth $18.7 million — would make him ineligible to sign with teams over the tax apron if he were to be released.

This is a crucial detail, as the NBA’s buyout market often sees players sign for cheaper deals with teams vying for talent, but Russell’s substantial salary complicates that route.

Keith Smith of Spotrac adds that a buyout would be tough to execute for financial and logistical reasons, given Russell’s large salary, which exceeds the non-taxpayer mid-level exception. Without a clear market for his full salary, and the fact that the Nets likely aren’t in a rush to part with him, it appears that Brooklyn will keep Russell for the time being, despite his uneven performance.

Russell has seen his numbers dip this season, including career lows in points (12.4) and minutes per game (26.2). Though he has been a starter for most of his career, with 510 starts in 600 games, the Lakers have largely used him as a reserve in 2024-25, and he’s made just 10 starts in 29 appearances.

It remains to be seen if his return to Brooklyn will spark a resurgence, but for now, both sides are preparing for a different role for Russell than the one he experienced in Los Angeles.

As the trade deadline nears, the situation surrounding Russell’s future in Brooklyn could evolve, but for now, the Nets seem content to have the 28-year-old in their rotation as they navigate a rebuilding season.