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Trading D’Angelo Russell will be worst possible scenario for Golden State Warriors

By Nathan Beighle

MIAMI, FL - NOVEMBER 20: D'Angelo Russell #1 of the Brooklyn Nets handles the ball against the Miami Heaton November 20, 2018 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - NOVEMBER 20: D'Angelo Russell #1 of the Brooklyn Nets handles the ball against the Miami Heaton November 20, 2018 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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If the Golden State Warriors trade D’Angelo Russell, it means they failed to successfully integrate him into their system.

The Golden State Warriors have said multiple times they didn’t bring in D’Angelo Russell to trade him. We heard it straight from general manager Bob Myers, and it should still be true as the season continues to near.

However, the NBA along with Warrior fans shouldn’t completely out rule a D-Lo trade.

After all, the 23-year-old All-Star is an isolation-heavy player that may not be able to thrive in the Golden State elite, team-first system. Although unlikely, there should a few scenarios where he’s successfully deal to a team like Minnesota.

When Klay Thompson returns, the Warriors will either have one of the worst defensive backcourts in the league or opt to send Russell to the second unit.

They lost a few defensive threats on the wing this offseason in Kevin Durant and Andre Iguodala. That means masking a backcourt that’s lacking defense will be much more difficult to do. But it could be worth it if this team is clicking offensively.

Russell, who averaged 21.1 points per game last season, is a scoring machine. He can drive and finish, shoot from deep and pull up with ease. He’s the type of guard you could build a team around.

The Warriors already have a guard like that though in two-time MVP Stephen Curry. Two ball-dominant guards will be an interesting dilemma this season. It could work. It should work. But what if it doesn’t find a way to work?

Personally, I think the backcourt will thrive, but I’m also not naive enough to think that the duo will be the quintessential fit. There is a potential that the two don’t work out. That’ll be the worst possible scenario for Golden State.

It’ll mean that the system failed Russell. They need Russell, Green, Thompson and Curry to down the Western Conference favorites, the Los Angeles Clippers. However, a team with Curry, Green, Thompson and a player like Robert Covington could be better on both ends of the court.

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The Warriors shouldn’t end up trading Russell, and if they do, it’ll mean Golden State is the second team to have failed to adapt to Russell’s style of play.

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