D’Angelo Russell and Willie Cauley-Stein could be a perfect match
By Kit Shepard
The Golden State Warriors two biggest acquisitions, D’Angelo Russell and Willie Cauley-Stein, arrived in The Bay under very different circumstances.
D’Angelo Russell, who entered restricted free agency at the end of last season, ideally wanted to stay with the Brooklyn Nets. However, the organization’s determination to sign Kyrie Irving and a certain Kevin Durant made retaining the guard financially impossible. Meanwhile, Willie Cauley-Stein could not get out of Sacramento fast enough.
Despite a promising season as the starting center of a young, over-performing Kings outfit, the 25-year-old’s agent requested that the franchise allow him to enter unrestricted free agency.
When the Kings brass eventually obliged by rescinding their qualifying offer, Cauley-Stein was able to sign for the Golden State Warriors, reportedly rejecting more lucrative deals to do so.
And although Russell did not share Cauley-Stein’s enthusiasm for a move to San Francisco, he should warm to the prospect when the pair take to the court together for the first time.