Workout videos are an NBA offseason tradition. D’Angelo Russell was seen in the Brooklyn Nets’ gym, hoisting his beautiful three-pointer.
It’s no days off for D’Angelo Russell. Russell was seen in a Brooklyn Nets practice gym getting in some early offseason work.
Russell, who most recently lost to the Philadelphia 76ers in five tough playoff games, showcased his increasing ability to launch pull-up shots off of fancy dribbles moves.
For D-Russell, Hardwood > Airports … by a long shot. #WeGoHard pic.twitter.com/TTA3mAN9Oc
— ESNY (@EliteSportsNY) May 24, 2019
For Nets fans, it is certainly encouraging to see their star get in some game-level shots. It’s better to see Russell in the gym than see his name in headlines for his extracurricular activities.
From Russell’s perspective, the offseason work and the accompanying video was a pretty savvy promotional tactic. The 23-year-old is in line for a major payday this offseason, worth up to $158.1 million over 5 seasons. Showcasing his passion for the game could certainly talk certain teams (i.e. the Utah Jazz or the Phoenix Suns) into pressuring the Nets with a max contract of their own.
Ultimately, Brooklyn decides Russell’s fate—D-Lo is a restricted free agent, and the Nets can match any deal thrown his way.
Time will only tell if Brooklyn chooses to do so. The Nets are currently in the mix for a multitude of free agent stars, including Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Tobias Harris, and quite possibly, Kawhi Leonard.
Who knows, maybe this video will help Brooklyn come one step closer into making a decision on their young All-Star guard? Probably not, but Brooklyn fans are allowed to dream.
(Also, on a slightly more comical note, does anyone else find Russell’s gym playlist slightly hilarious? Wiz Khalifa’s “Kush & OJ” mixtape was certainly an interesting music choice considering Russell’s recent events).
