After what seems like an eternity of waiting, things are finally about to start getting official in NBA free agency.
The league's free agency period officially begins on July 30 at 6 p.m. After that, teams are free to contact agents and the free agents they represent. All the rumors and speculation can finally turn into hard deals getting done and players actually switching cities.
D'Angelo Russell is one of those players who could be on the move. Russell had a breakout season for the Brooklyn Nets last season, and is now set to become one of the league's most attractive free agents. According to multiple reports from the Los Angeles area, he will meet with his old team, the Los Angeles Lakers, as he seems likely to become a free agent.
The Nets were one of the most improved teams in the NBA last year, in large part because Russell was one of the most improved players in the NBA last year. He was a finalist for that award, but Toronto's Pascal Siakam deservedly took it home during Monday night's NBA Awards. Brooklyn fell in love with the Louisville native, but now a superstar may be about to fall into their hands.
Reports indicate that Kyrie Irving will leave the Boston Celtics and sign with the Nets. Russell is a quality young player with a very bright future, but he hasn't reached the level that Irving is at. Not many players have. Plus, Irving could bring Kevin Durant with him. If Irving and Durant come, there really isn't any room for Russell, considering the amount of money he'll be seeking.
So, Brooklyn could very well renounce the rights to Russell and let him sign elsewhere. His exit from Los Angeles wasn't pretty, but some of that should be blamed on Magic Johnson and Nick Young. Russell would help form an intriguing trio with Lebron James and Anthony Davis. The Lakers could use a point guard after trading Lonzo Ball to New Orleans in the proposed deal that would bring Davis to the West Coast.
The Knicks are also in the hunt for superstar free agents, but they might not get one. Russell could be an option for them, depending on what they think of Dennis Smith Jr. But they had better act quickly, as the Lakers appear to have an interest in the player they initially drafted second overall back in 2015.
