The Nets made a qualifying offer to restricted free agent D'Angelo Russell on Friday, one day ahead of the deadline, according to a report by Shams Charania of The Athletic that was confirmed to Newsday by an NBA source.
Russell has one sneaker out the door if reports prove true that Celtics free-agent point guard Kyrie Irving is on the verge of signing with the Nets after free agency talks open at 6 p.m. Sunday. As a defensive measure, the Nets had to extend the qualifying offer to Russell in case Irving changes course and goes elsewhere.
Russell's qualifying offer keeps his cap hold of close to $21.1 million in place and leaves the Nets with $46 million in cap room, which is enough to sign one maximum-salary free agent with plenty of room to spare. But it can be rescinded if the Nets need room to sign two maximum-salary free agents.