D’Angelo Russell’s NBA career hit another crossroads on Sept. 25, as the former All-Star was waived by the Memphis Grizzlies before the team made it to training camp. As a longtime friend of Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker, who called their relationship "deeply rooted," could the Suns’ front office look at bringing in Russell for yet another change of scenery? Possibly.
As things stand, Russell will be looking to join his fourth team since February of this year. The former Dallas Mavericks guard was traded to Washington in the blockbuster Anthony Davis deal before being sent to Memphis as part of a sweeping six-team trade in July.
His Grizzlies career is now over before it began, and it’s entirely possible Russell’s basketball career could now lead to a job overseas if he doesn't garner interest from a team like the Suns.
Should the Phoenix Suns look to acquire D’Angelo Russell?
There are two obvious factors working in favor of a Phoenix-Russell pairing: his friendship with Booker and the fact that he plays point guard. The Suns roster as constructed points to Booker playing the point in the starting lineup while breakout guard Collin Gillespie comes off the bench.
There’s an argument to be made for Gillespie getting the starting job, but regardless of Gillespie’s ultimate role, the only other point guards on the roster are Jamaree Bouyea (who was promoted from a two-way contract) and Pat Spencer (the former Golden State Warriors guard who signed a two-way deal with the Suns this offseason).
Russell could help shore up depth at the position, but the problem is that the Suns already went out and signed Duop Reath as a Band-Aid solution, with Mark Williams now sidelined due to a torn labrum that required surgery. It’s also worth wondering what the Ohio State product can provide NBA teams at this stage of his career. He played just 26 games (three starts) for Dallas last season, averaging a career-low 10.2 points per game while converting just 40.5 percent of his field goals and a very lackluster 29.5 percent of his 3-point tries.
The 30-year-old is now very far removed from his one and only All-Star campaign with the Brooklyn Nets back in 2018-19. As a 22-year-old that season, Russell averaged 21.1 points, 7.0 assists, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game. He shot 43.4 percent from the field and 36.9 percent from long range that season.
It’s unrealistic to believe Russell can turn back the clock to those types of numbers, but his pre-existing relationship with Booker could certainly be a “pro” in the change of scenery column to rejuvenate Russell’s career.
Booker's friendship could be the ultimate factor here
The longstanding friendship among Booker, Russell, and New York Knicks big man Karl-Anthony Towns has led to fan speculation over the years about that trio teaming up at some point. While Russell’s career hasn’t had quite the same positive trajectory as the other two, it stands to reason that Phoenix could consider bringing him in (certainly if Book advocates for him).
If nothing else, the Suns don't have much to lose by taking a flyer on Booker's buddy. There are those who say the offseason trade to acquire Miles Bridges takes Phoenix from a Play-In team to a Play-In team, so bringing in Russell, even on a non-guaranteed deal, can't hurt.
It's unlikely, but if Book wants to play with D-Lo and believes he can turn back the clock, it's a low-risk move that should at least be considered.
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