The Nets will open 2025 with a new-look roster.
D’Angelo Russell and Maxwell Lewis are each out there for Wednesday’s sport in opposition to the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Enviornment. Each have been acquired in a commerce that despatched Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton to the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday.
The Lakers despatched their very own second-round picks in 2027, 2030 and 2031 to Brooklyn.
“It’s a good feeling, honestly, to go back somewhere you’re comfortable, somewhere you know the ins and outs a little bit,” Russell instructed reporters in Toronto. “See some familiar faces. It kind of makes the process a little easier to adjust to. So, I’m just grateful for that.”
This can be Russell’s second stint in Brooklyn. The second general choose within the 2015 NBA Draft began his profession with the Lakers till he and Timofey Mozgov have been traded to the Nets within the 2017 offseason for Brook Lopez and the rights to Kyle Kuzma.
Russell averaged 19 factors, 3.9 rebounds and 6.3 assists in two seasons in Brooklyn, and made his solely All-Star look in the course of the 2018-19 season. The 28-year-old has since performed for the Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves and Lakers once more earlier than getting traded again to Brooklyn final Sunday.
As a result of Russell and Lewis haven’t had a full apply with the crew but, head coach Jordi Fernandez didn’t verify if both will play in opposition to Toronto. Each are nonetheless studying the playbook and getting on top of things.
Russell is averaging 12.4 factors, 2.8 rebounds and 4.7 assists in 26.3 minutes per sport this season.
“It’s just like getting traded any time before that,” Russell stated. “You have to adjust, so it’s been an adjustment for me. Learning the players, learning the coaching staff, learning Brooklyn’s new ways. A lot has changed since I’ve been here, so just trying to adjust and jump right in with these guys.”
The Nets additionally signed ahead Tosan Evbuomwan to a two-way contract on Wednesday, and waived Jaylen Martin to make room for him. Evbuomwan joins Tyrese Martin and Reece Beekman as Brooklyn’s three two-way gamers.
In 17 video games as a rookie with the Detroit Pistons and Memphis Grizzlies final season, Evbuomwan averaged 5.9 factors and three.5 rebounds whereas taking pictures 38% from 3-point vary. He appeared in 16 Tip-Off Event video games for the San Diego Clippers within the NBA G League this season, averaging 18.4 factors on 51.9% taking pictures with 6.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists.
Cam Thomas (left hamstring harm administration), Trendon Watford (left hamstring pressure), and Ziaire Williams (left knee harm administration) have been all dominated out in opposition to Toronto.
