Brooklyn Nets: D’Angelo Russell’s ideal backcourt partner

By Alec Liebsch | Apr 3, 2018

MIAMI, FL - MARCH 31: D'Angelo Russell /

Brooklyn Nets guard D’Angelo Russell has shown lots of promise in his first season with the team. Now it’s time to outline what types of players can thrive with him.

Not much has gone smoothly for the Brooklyn Nets this season. As one of the few bright spots, guard D’Angelo Russell has shown a mixed bag of promise and concern.

One of the positives to undertaking a depressing rebuild is that the positive outcomes are inflated. Russell’s ability to hit contested 3s is a welcome sight, no matter how many other shots do not fall. So when Russell does not perform well, it’s easy to attribute such struggles to the overall makeup of the roster.

Obviously this is not an accurate depiction of what is really going on. Russell is not perfect, and should be analyzed for his weaknesses the same as anyone else.

Once such analyses are complete, Russell’s ideal role with the team can take shape. As a shot-creating guard who needs to improve his defense and handle, Russell will need another ball-handler in the lineup with him.

It is arguable that the Nets already have a versatile running mate for Russell in Caris LeVert. The freakishly long point-wing has shown promise in whatever role coach Kenny Atkinson slots him in. His ability to create plays off the dribble is nothing to sneeze at, and his length allows him to switch onto almost anyone defensively.

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If Point Caris is not your cup of tea, then look to the upcoming draft. Several senior point guards (who I have analyzed) will likely be available in the early-mid second round, which is where Brooklyn’s second-rounders are slated (currently 40th and 43rd overall). If one of them really appeals to general manager Sean Marks, he can poach said player with the Toronto Raptors‘ selection (currently 28th).

Players who can ball-handle and also shoot off the catch are becoming valuable commodities in the modern NBA. Offenses have evolved to employ several ball-handlers in the same quintet, meaning everyone must be versatile.

Frank Mason, a second round pick the Sacramento Kings selected, has solidified a role for this exact reason. He can run the offense around shooters, but he can also shoot off the catch. On an unstable team like the Kings, that kind of reliability and malleability is more than welcome.

In an offense like Atkinson’s, having players of this caliber is exponentially beneficial. For example, Joe Harris shouldn’t have to initiate pick-and-rolls; he is a great shooter, but not much else. Having several creators is integral to the Nets’ success going forward.

How does this tie back to Russell? Well it’s obvious that he is a centerpiece for this team going forward. Having a stable presence as a ball-handler who can also shoot could unlock Russell’s next level.

Before the Spencer Dinwiddie cult calls for my head, allow me to express some concerns. Dinwiddie is a free agent in 2019. He is a very good point guard who takes care of the ball extremely well. However, since I last wrote about his fit with D-Russ, his shooting has not improved. This makes him borderline useless off the ball, and therefore a detriment when Russell or LeVert run the show.

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A Jalen Brunson or Jevon Carter type could be exactly what Brooklyn needs: a cheap, high-IQ guard capable of playing on or off the ball. Maybe Jeremy Lin signs a “prove-it” deal to stay post-injury. Maybe LeVert is the answer. Whatever path the front office chooses, they will do so with Russell’s pros and cons in mind.

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