Golden State Warriors: pros and cons of the D'Angelo Russell trade

Golden State Warriors: Pros and cons of the D’Angelo Russell Trade

TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 11: D'Angelo Russell #1 of the Brooklyn Nets shoots the ball during warm up, prior to an NBA game against the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena on February 11, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Matteo Marchi/Getty Images) /

Pro: unexpected flexibility

Having D’Angelo on the roster, rather than losing Durant for nothing, also allows for future trades to take place if the Warriors saw fit to do so.

The Warriors were always going to struggle with adding suitable depth to their all-star core, and Klay Thompson’s new max contract will tighten that belt ever more, especially with Draymond Green looking to extend his deal as well.

What the Russell contract can now bring, is $117m of tradeable assets. D-Lo is an all-star caliber talent at the age of 23, and his ever-developing offensive game had already drawn potential interest from the Lakers and the Minnesota Timberwolves.

There is evidently a market for the combo guard, and the Warriors could exploit that for more assets if they feel like they need to re-jig things.

This is not total freedom to acquire anyone they want to, of course, but having D’Angelo Russell on the roster can potentially entice rival franchises to trade for Russell while giving up someone that the Warriors, in turn, would benefit greatly from having.

Maybe a small forward…from Toronto… (by this, I mean Kawhi Leonard, NOT Andrew Wiggins. Just to clarify.)

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