Golden State Warriors: “It’s just a matter of when,” not if, they trade D’Angelo Russell

The Golden State Warriors are apparently going to trade D’Angelo Russell. Now, it’s just a matter of when this transaction takes place.

That being said, the Golden State Warriors can not trade D’Angelo Russell for six months. However, that leaves the Warriors with the ability to create a different, more versatile roster for the 2020 postseason.

After breaking seemingly countless reports yesterday, the New York Times’ Marc Stein was at it again. On the Dan Patrick Show, Stein said that it is “a matter of when,” not if, the Golden State Warriors trade D’Angelo Russell.

In some aspects, this was to be expected. The Warriors are a team that has based their entire offense around movement, around passing, and around making each other better. Russell, a ball-dominant player, seems like he may be an outcast on the team.

Will he get those one-on-one possessions to just create? While they will come, it may not be in the volume that he needs in order to be effective. Ultimately, the Warriors just didn’t want Durant to leave and they then be empty-handed.

Russell is a special talent. He is 23-years-old and averaged 21.1 points per game last season on 43.4% shooting and almost 37% from deep. This team could use him and even potentially mold his style of play.

However, it seems likely that after the six month window, he’ll be gone, leaving room for further speculation down the line. What’s D-Lo going to be worth on the open market? We know the Lakers and Wolves are interested, but what’s the Warriors price going to be?

They have all the reason to keep him on the roster and little pressure to be forced into a trade as Russell signed a four-year max. That said, it’ll be interesting how the 2020 trade deadline and 2020 offseason work in the Warriors favor. Stein is right. He will be dealt.

When is still unknown, but this fit just doesn’t seem right, at least for the long-term future.