Golden State Warriors need to be patient with D’Angelo Russell
By Tony Pesta
Patience will be a virtue for the Golden State Warriors regarding their situation with D’Angelo Russell.
To trade or not to trade. The Golden State Warriors have been toying with the idea of shipping D’Angelo Russell at the trade deadline but there is no reason for the franchise to rush a deal.
At 23 years of age, Russell is an intriguing prospect as he has had back-to-back career-high seasons. The young star is showing his willingness to improve and could be an elite weapon for many years to come at this rate.
The Warriors have been reluctant to search for trading partners but they aren’t exactly turning deals away either. According to Marc Stein, the Dubs are listening to offers for the one-time All-Star.
However, most people close to the situation believe the Warriors will refrain from pulling the trigger on any deals. This is for a few reasons.
For starters, the Warriors want to see what the backcourt duo of Russell and Stephen Curry will look like together. As of now, the two have only been on the court for four games. This is too small of a sample size to justify trading Russell.
Furthermore, the Dubs are waiting to see the outcome of the 2020 NBA Draft Lottery. Their position in the upcoming draft could influence their decision to trade or keep Russell.
Because of this, it makes sense for the Warriors to remain patient. However, it also makes sense for them to continue listening to pitches. If done correctly, the Warriors can use current offers to gain more leverage in future negotiations.
Personally, I believe Russell has the potential to become a cornerstone for the franchise as they transition from one dynasty to another. He has a ton of potential and has expressed interest in playing longterm with the Warriors.
In today’s NBA, it is a blessing to have a young talent committed to staying with one franchise. The Dubs should take advantage of this situation.