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5 players the Golden State Warriors should already be targeting for D’Angelo Russell

By Nathan Beighle

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 20: D'Angelo Russell #1 of the Brooklyn Nets celebrates during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers on Game Four of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs at Barclays Center on April 20, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. 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 Matteo Marchi/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 20: D'Angelo Russell #1 of the Brooklyn Nets celebrates during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers on Game Four of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs at Barclays Center on April 20, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. 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 Matteo Marchi/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Rudy Gay + Dejounte Murray

The Warriors will be looking for a few things in any trade involving Russell. For starters, they’ll want a combination of youth, cap space and veteran leadership. Some teams can only give them two of the three.

However, the Spurs can give them all three. Rudy Gay, who just re-signed a two-year, $12 million contract to stay in San Antonio and Murray, is still on his rookie contract, could free up Golden State a bit while giving them a solid option at the three.

As it stands, the three, after the Warriors traded Iggy and watched KD walk, is a position of concern. Gay averaged 13.7 on a career-high 50.4% from the field last season. While not his best professional season, it was his most efficient.

In a tough Western Conference, the Spurs may not be a threat, so hanging on to Gay seems pointless. That said, the Spurs are extremely high on Murray who missed last season with the torn ACL.

Murray hasn’t broken out yet, but it seems like just a matter of time. If that never comes, the Nets could fleece Golden State by taking a superstar for a play with potential and an aging vet. Both teams should at least consider this deal.

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