Now the franchise cornerstone for the Brooklyn Nets organization, guard D’Angelo Russell has had an unorthodox start to his professional career. Russell was taken with the second overall pick by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2015 NBA draft but was traded just two years later due to President Magic Johnson questioning his leadership abilities as the franchise point guard.
This prompted LA to select none other than Lonzo Ball with the second overall pick in the most recent NBA draft, officially transition from the Russell to Ball era. Now with a fresh start with the Nets, Russell says he doesn’t want LA or the Lakers to be part of his legacy. Instead, he told ESPN’s Marc Spears that he’s focusing on building his future and legacy in Brooklyn.
I want to build my legacy here. I got drafted to L.A., but I don’t want people to remember me from [the Lakers].
“I don’t want L.A. to be any part of my legacy as far as what I left behind. Guys don’t know that Chauncey Billups was drafted by the Celtics. Guys remember him from Denver and Detroit, stuff like that.”
During his two-year tenure in the City of Angels, D’Angelo Russell posted per-game averages of 14.3 points and 4 assists. However, those serviceable numbers were largely overlooked thanks to the locker room situation with Nick Young and a perceived lack of leadership.
In this his first year with the Nets, Russell has bumped his numbers slightly to the tune of 15.6 points per game and an improved 5 assists. The former Ohio State star had an opportunity to piece together an even better season but knee surgery derailed much of his campaign.
Though Brooklyn is nowhere near playoff-caliber at the moment, Russell will hope to remain healthy for next season and beyond, as he tries to help the Nets get out of the league’s cellar.
