Brooklyn Nets: 5 goals for D’Angelo Russell in 2017-18

5. Become the leader

Not too long ago, Russell was viewed as the centerpiece of a Lakers franchise that was searching to uncover better days in the Western Conference, yet he found himself to be the guy who was shipped away to usher in the Lonzo Ball era out in Los Angeles.

After being asked why the team sought to go in a different direction this past offseason, president of basketball of operations Magic Johnson said it was due to Russell lacking leadership qualities and the ability to make those around him better.

Now, Russell will have the chance to become the man in Brooklyn, a place where he will not have as much pressure upon him to prove to fans that he is indeed ready to make an immediate impact. He has the chance to finally put his past incidents officially behind him.

Should Russell find a way to do this and become the Nets’ official leader, then he could possibly become the player that Brooklyn looks to build around. The former Ohio State product appears to be taking everything in stride thus far, as getting in midnight workouts at the practice facility with trainer Chris Brickley this summer could prove to pay major dividends for the organization and help Russell show his doubters that he has learned from his past mishaps and that he is growing up once and for all.