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Golden State Warriors Rumors: Trading D’Angelo Russell will not be the move

By Nathan Beighle

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - NOVEMBER 15: D'Angelo Russell #0 of the Golden State Warriors reacts to a play against the Boston Celtics on November 15, 2019 at Chase Center in San Francisco, California. 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 Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - NOVEMBER 15: D'Angelo Russell #0 of the Golden State Warriors reacts to a play against the Boston Celtics on November 15, 2019 at Chase Center in San Francisco, California. 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 Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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There’s no reason to believe the Golden State Warriors have a plan to trade D’Angelo Russell up their sleeves so let’s stop creating rumors about it.

Golden State Warriors executives, a few months ago, said this team didn’t bring in D’Angelo Russell to trade him. The plan was to sign him to a four-year, max-value contract and give him an NBA home that believes in him.

That, as it stands, is still what Golden State plans to do.

Both Brooklyn and Los Angeles brought him in, gave him a platform and then dealt him, aiming for something much larger. For LA, they brought in Lonzo Ball while Brooklyn was able to sign both Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant.

In Golden State, Russell may be able to be the perfect complement to Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. Improving his catch-and-shoot abilities, Russell will play a key role in what could be the league’s best team next season.

For now, he’ll be leading Golden State as the team’s sole offensive playmaker. Averaging a career-high 24.3 points per game, Russell has been a dominant force, still allowing teammates to thrive around his isolation style of play.

It was assumed that Golden State would plan to deal Russell for a player, or players, on more team-friendly contracts. Russell is the team’s fourth max-value contract so freeing up space for a bench would be crucial.

However, the Warriors have seen an eruption of quality youngsters. Eric Paschall has been one of the league’s best rookies, and he’s not even set to make over $1 million this season. He’ll still under $2 million in both the next two seasons as well.

Add in a lottery pick with Paschall, and then you have two quality players on extremely team-friendly contracts. Likely picking a player to fill a role like James Wiseman down low, the Warriors won’t need to find more help in the free agency market.

Why would they deal Russell then? Would just finding a better fit with the aging core be enough?

Next. Top 25 Golden State Warriors in franchise history. dark

They don’t need to deal Russell for pieces that just don’t add up to a 23-year-old superstar guard. That said, let’s kill the rumors and just watch Russell absolutely dominate as the main option on this helpless Warriors roster.

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