D’Angelo Russell deserves a max contract when he reaches restricted free agency this offseason. The first time All Star is having a stellar season, averaging 20.7 ppg and 6.9 apg while shooting 43.2% from the field which are all career highs. Dlo has shown why the Lakers took him with the 2nd pick in the 2015 draft this season. Dlo was not given time to develop in LA, and he has done just that in Brooklyn. The Lakers have to be shaking their heads in embarrassment for letting him go. Yes they did get Kyle Kuzma in return, but D’Angelo has been much better than Kuzma. Among NBA ranks, D’Angelo’s 20.7 ppg is tied for 27th overall in the NBA and tied for 9th in the Eastern Conference. Russell’s 6.9 apg is good enough for 12th in the NBA, and 5th in the Eastern Conference. Lastly, D’Angelo hits 2.8 three’s a game which is 10th in the NBA and 3rd in the Eastern Conference. Three pointers have been the specialty of Russell’s game this season, as he is shooting a career high 36.7% from deep. Russell also set the Nets franchise record for the most threes in a season last night when he hit his 202nd three pointer. Russell broke Allen Crabbe’s record (set last year), and figures to extend that lead by double digits. Russell has been extremely pivotal for the Nets over the past 2 games in their playoff push. After 3 games of being held to under 20 points, Russell has exploded in games against the Clippers and Kings. In LA on Sunday night, Russell recorded 32 points and 10 assists on 13-25 shooting. Then Russell responded with the best game of his career, finishing with a career high 44 points (27 in the 4th quarter alone) and 12 assists on 17-33 shooting. Russell’s 44 points highlighted a herculean effort in which he willed the Nets to a victory after entering the 4th quarter down 25 points. Russell has also recorded back to back 30 point – 10 assist games for the first time in his career. Russell became the first Nets player since Devin Harris in 2008-09 to record back to back 30 point – 10 assist games.

The 22 year old, Ohio State product deserves to be paid like an elite NBA point guard. D’Angelo deserves to be paid like the All Star he is. Compared to other point guards, Russell should look at a deal like Reggie Jackson (5 years, $80 million) received a few years ago. Although Russell is a better player than Kyle Lowry (3 years, $100 million), Jrue Holiday (5 years, $131 million) and Mike Conley (5 years, $152 million) he is still a restricted free agent in a relatively weak market. There are not a lot of teams out there who need a point guard in free agency this offseason. The Kings, Magic, and Bulls are all teams that like to throw a lot of money at restricted free agents, but they all have point guards. The Knicks are another team who would offer Russell max money, but they will likely go after Kyrie Irving instead of Russell. Because he is a restricted free agent, it is very unlikely that the Nets would let him walk. If he was an u restricted free agent, the Nets would’ve already locked up Dlo like they did to Dinwiddie. No way Sean Marks lets Dlo walk after his performance this season. All in all, I expect Dlo to receive a contact of somewhere around $80/90 million for about 4 years. D’Angelo has only been in the league for 4 seasons, which limits the amount of possible $ he can make. If Dlo continues this seasons play over multiple seasons, he could get Chris Paul money when he’s 26.

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