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Golden State Warriors: D’Angelo Russell should come off the bench

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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There are only two options for the Golden State Warriors: stagger Stephen Curry and D’Angelo Russell’s minutes or bring D-Lo off the bench.

The Golden State Warriors won’t have the luxury of having three elite scoring options until late in the season. It’ll be a new, different change for the Stephen Curry-led Warriors who have had two former MVPs on their roster for the last three seasons.

Klay Thompson is also out until late in the season after tearing his ACL in Game 6 of the 2019 NBA Finals. That said, the Warriors, who will already be challenged by depth, will have to get crafty with their lineups to ensure they can secure and maintain a lead.

Last season, the Warriors second unit was one of the worst scoring units in the league. This season, it won’t be much better. Although they signed numerous veterans like Glenn Robinson III and Alec Burks, the team still won’t have any significant contributors off the bench.

That’s where you can insert D’Angelo Russell.

Russell can play the Lou Williams-type role. He’ll still be in the last half a quarter of each game, but he’d start the game with the second unit. Wouldn’t that be more ideal than having him run with a Curry-centric offense?

Hear me out. D’Angelo Russell is a one-man show.

Although that could change, last season, under 20% of his two-point makes and under 55% of his three-point makes were assisted on. He does things at his pace.

Allowing Russell to step off the bench fresh with the second unit is more ideal than starting him when the majority of the focus will be around Curry. The Warriors should consider starting Robinson III or Burks, a couple of veterans that could provide shooting to keep the offense fluid.

Scoring 21.1 points per game last season, it’s obvious that Russell can score at ease. The 23-year-old was also an All-Star last season, so he’s clearly among the upper echelon of the association, and while many weren’t fans of the value of his contract, he’ll help carry this team to the playoffs.

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Keeping Russell fresh off the bench to start the game may be the smart decision for Steve Kerr and his coaching staff.

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