Golden State Warriors: Trading D’Angelo Russell is not an option

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - DECEMBER 13: D'Angelo Russell #0 of the Golden State Warriors looks on during a game against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena on December 13, 2019 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - DECEMBER 13: D'Angelo Russell #0 of the Golden State Warriors looks on during a game against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena on December 13, 2019 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)

The Golden State Warriors have made it clear they will not be trading D’Angelo Russell this season.

D’Angelo Russell has been thrown around in trade rumors since he joined the Golden State Warriors. Though the franchise itself has always made it clear that D-Lo is safe from being traded, the speculation continued to grow.

That was up until now. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Russell will not be traded this season. The Warriors will not even be making calls regarding the young All-Stars value.

This should come as no surprise. Russell is 23 years old and fresh off a career-high season with the Brooklyn Nets. If given the correct guidance, D-Lo can become one of the league’s best playmakers and isolation scorers.

So far, Russell’s debut season for the Dubs has been slightly disappointing. This is mainly for the fact that the Warriors sit with the worst record in the NBA and are playing without most of their core players.

As for his actual performance, Russell is averaging 21.5 points and 6.2 assists. He has had brief moments of greatness but has struggled to carry the offense on his own. But, this won’t be an issue for long.

D-Lo doesn’t have much talent around him right now. Soon, Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson will return to the lineup and weaponize Russell’s passing ability. This extra help will push him back into All-Star talks by next season.

Furthermore, the Warriors are sure to snag a top pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. There is no reason to rush a trade before discovering where the franchise will select in the upcoming draft.

Packaging D-Lo with their lottery pick will bring in the greatest haul. If the Warriors plan on trading Russell at any point, they may as well wait to see the results of the NBA Draft Lottery. For now, Russell is safe as a member of the Warriors.