2019 NBA Free Agency: Nets unlikely to keep D’Angelo Russell if they sign Kyrie Irving

The 2019 NBA Free Agency period is about to become very tempting for the Utah Jazz. Ian Begley of SNYtv is reporting that if the Brooklyn Nets are successful in landing Kyrie Irving, D’Angelo Russell will most likely have his rights rescinded with the Brooklyn Nets making him an unrestricted free agent.

But the Nets’ hopes of landing stars in Brooklyn will have an impact on Russell’s future with the club.

If Irving signs with the Nets, SNY sources familiar with the matter say it is highly unlikely that Russell remains with the Nets. Members of the Nets organization have communicated that idea in recent days, per sources.

ESPN reported that Brooklyn is interested in signing Irving and Durant together. The Knicks remain interested in the same scenario.

Brooklyn would need to rescind Russell to create the space to sign two max free agents.

The Nets currently project to be able to create as much as $66M of cap room if they renounce all their free agents, but that would reduce to $46M if they retain Russell’s $21M cap hold, per Albert Nahmad.

That would complicate Utah’s offseason plans as Utah recently has zeroed in on Mike Conley of the Memphis Grizzlies according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. If it is expected that D’Angelo Russell will be available 100% when free agency hits, that may push Utah to hit the pause button on Conley talks until free agency is over. Interestingly enough the same teams that are interested in Mike Conley are also interested in D’Angelo Russell.

To add some intrigue to the conversation, Donovan Mitchell liked the report that D’Angelo Russell could be headed to free agency.

While I think Utah could compete now with Mike Conley, there’s also playing the long game of having two All-Star caliber guards under the age of 25 in your backcourt. What’s amazing is Utah has amazing options at point guard this offseason whether it comes via trade with Mike Conley or through free agency with D’Angelo Russell.

LET THE GAMES BEGIN!