Since being traded to the Brooklyn Nets nearly two weeks ago, it has thrust an entirely new perspective and weight of expectations upon D'Angelo Russell‘s shoulders.

The 21-year-old appears to be taking this increased responsibility head on as Anthony Puccio of SB Nation is reporting that Russell has been checking into the Nets' gym after 1 a.m. on a daily basis.

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Russell has an opportunity in front of him to become the face of a franchise that is desperately looking for a player to take ahold of that huge role. Brooklyn has made it clear that they have much hope that he could step into that spot from the get-go next season.

In his first two years in the league with the Los Angeles Lakers, he struggled to get a grasp of a leadership role with the team and his inconsistent play on the court along with his situation with Nick Young off the court didn't help his cause either.

That said, there is plenty of motivating factors for Russell to utilize to push himself to reach the potential that the Lakers had seen in him upon selecting him with the second overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft that now the Nets are hoping he can fulfill.