How the Pelicans could look in 3 years post-Nets/Anthony Davis trade

Brooklyn’s All-Star

D’Angelo Russell (23) is a restricted free agent stuck in limbo once more. The Los Angeles Lakers gave up on Russell, and the Nets may want to move on from Russell for more established NBA stars.

Russell’s addition to any deal would require a sign and trade transaction. The sign and trade mechanism is one of the most complex and misunderstood sections of the NBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement.

The relevant explanation of Question 92 as it pertains to a Nets trade offer revolves around matching salaries.

Russell made just over $7 million this year and will be getting a substantial raise next season. His next contract could average over $20 million. Since the Nets would be signing Russell just to trade him, his full contract cap hit would not be used in the trade. In fact, only half would count in the event Russell signs for more than $16 million a year, which is very likely.

This is done so players do not game the system to force their way onto teams around/over the cap. It helps the Pelicans, because the Nets have to would have to add another player to a deal for salary purposes. Every extra asset helps.

Russell will receive a raise of more than 20%; he might get three times his old salary next season. Three years and sixty five million dollars is a reasonable rate to ask for an All-Star guard. In that case, only half of the new contract’s cap hit will be counted in a Davis trade. Russell’s contract could only be for three or four years in a sign and trade. The contract would have 4.5% increases each year.

Putting Russell’s 21 points and 7 assists next to Jrue Holiday would solve the Pelicans’ back court rotations. Frank Jackson and Elfrid Payton running the bench units would alleviate any load management worries.

Aaron Nelson will monitor usage heavily. There’s no need to risk unnecessary injury in a rebuilding year. A stable of ball handlers is needed to be competitive on a nightly basis. That is the goal for Zion’s developmental years. Russell, Holiday, Payton, and Jackson would ensure Zion has a creator to help at all times.

This series of articles we’re posting is looking at potential trade hauls three years out with the expectation that Zion will be ready to lead the team by then. Russell became an All-Star in his fourth season and could step into a young veteran leadership role in a couple years. His guidance and words of patient wisdom would serve Zion well.

The Lakers gave up on Russell, but he kept confidence in his game. The Nets reaped some rewards. The Pelicans will have to risk paying full market value but could see the greatest return on the Davis trade investment by accepting Russell.

But D’Lo isn’t the only Nets player that would have value for New Orleans. Let’s look at some others.