Pippen Ain't Easy
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2019 NBA Free Agency: Early Chicago Bulls PG big board

By Andrew Miller

CHARLOTTE, NC - MARCH 23: Kemba Walker #15 of the Charlotte Hornets reacts against the Boston Celtics on March 23, 2019 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - MARCH 23: Kemba Walker #15 of the Charlotte Hornets reacts against the Boston Celtics on March 23, 2019 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 08: D’Angelo Russell #1 of the Brooklyn Nets dribbles the ball during the first half of the game against the Chicago Bulls at Barclays Center on February 08, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 08: D’Angelo Russell #1 of the Brooklyn Nets dribbles the ball during the first half of the game against the Chicago Bulls at Barclays Center on February 08, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. D'Angelo Russell. 147. Point Guard. 23-Years-Old. 2. player

Among all the free agent targets that are bound to hit the open market this summer, the Brooklyn Nets rising star point guard could be one of the more sought after for any team with this positional need. This Nets rising star is the 23-year-old former Ohio State Buckeyes standout D’Angelo Russell.

As a restricted free agent this off-season, Russell is likely going to be looking to get himself max contract money. He is currently still on his rookie earning scale after he was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2015 NBA Draft. In all likelihood, the Nets will be trying to re-sign Russell this summer. But, other teams will have the chance to pursue him in free agency.

It was hard for any NBA fan to imagine that Russell would find a breakthrough this quickly, especially with a franchise that was void of talent in recent years like the Nets. Nevertheless, Russell averages 20.9 points per game, 7.0 assists, and 3.7 rebounds. He’s also shooting 36.2 percent from three-point range.

NBC Sports did a piece back at the end of January in regard to the point guard search for the Chicago Bulls and how this franchise needs to find “it’s D’Angelo Russell” to help this rebuild along. What better way for the Bulls to pull something like that off than to land Russell in the first place. The potential risk with Russell just having one breakthrough year and then returning back down to earth with the Bulls would be the huge risk in pursuing him.