Devin Booker’s new max extension inspired D’Angelo Russell’s summer training

The relationship between Devin Booker and Nets guard D’Angelo Russell elevated to another level this summer, sparked by Booker’s shiny, new max contract extension.

“I’m in the greatest place ever, honestly,” Russell told The Athletic. “Like you said, motivation. I see my best friend sign a max deal. I know where we came from, so that’s plenty motivation that I need. I wake up every morning and go to train, and I feel like I’m in the best shape. I don’t know. The sky is the limit.”

The two were drafted in the lottery the same year, and have developed a relationship over time. This summer, the pair worked out together in California for the majority of the offseason, and Scotto’s piece goes into…