The Golden State Warriors made a move in the early part of free agency to acquire All-Star D’Angelo Russell from the Brooklyn Nets in a sign-and-trade that allowed superstar Kevin Durant to head to Brooklyn.
Despite Russell being an All-Star and having obvious talent, there’s no guarantee that he stays with the Warriors all season. He would be playing shooting guard, the same position as Klay Thompson who is expected to return at some point of the 2019-20 season.
Russell, who has been traded before as the Los Angeles Lakers sent him to Brooklyn before, has experience in this situation and he told reporters that it doesn’t bother him.
That’s the business of it. It is what it is. You put yourself in position to go somewhere for a long period of time and it may not be what it is a year later. That’s the business and I’ve come to a realization of that and I understand that so whatever situation I’m in I know the business side of it. So we’ll just see. I can’t predict it.
Russell averaged 21.1 points and seven assists while shooting 36.9 percent from deep and leading the Nets to the playoffs in 2018-19, their first playoff appearance since 2015. He maintained that Thompson’s injury did not play into his decision to join Golden State.
No, no. I think you’ve seen they’ve added any player that was available that played on their team and take advantage of that player and really bring their skill, what they do, to the light.
Whether Russell will remain with the Warriors remains to be seen and when Thompson does return, coach Steve Kerr will have a decision to make. That will come down to either moving Russell or having Thompson play out of position at the small forward spot.
No matter what happens, it appears that Russell is prepared for any result.
