Troy Pierce | July 10th, 2019
In the most surprising move of the NBA offseason, restricted free agent D’Angelo Russell is now a Golden State Warrior. In addition to the Warriors and Brooklyn Nets, the sign-and-trade deal also includes the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Warriors will sign D’Angelo Russell to a four-year, $117 million deal and send a protected future first-round pick to Brooklyn. Minnesota will get Shabazz Napier, Treveon Graham, and cash considerations from Golden State.
The rumors of Kevin Durant heading to Brooklyn ultimately helped orchestrate the trade.
Timberwolves
For the Timberwolves this is slightly puzzling because of how strongly they felt about pairing Russell with Karl Anthony-Towns. Though they weren’t able to get Russell, Minnesota did acquire two cheap, expiring contracts in the form of Napier and Graham. Neither contract is guaranteed until after July 10, 2019, but a move for either player is unlikely.
Warriors
The Warriors are winners in this deal for the simple fact that they didn’t lose Kevin Durant for nothing, and in the process, they gained a big trade chip by signing Russell.
It remains to be seen how the former Brooklyn Net will fit with the Warriors, but it keeps the reigning Western Conference Champs in prime position to retool their roster despite the turnover and injuries.
Many expect Russell to be moved once Klay Thompson makes his return for Golden State. Perhaps the Timberwolves will try and land Russell at the trade deadline?
Nets
The Brooklyn Nets made a big splash by landing Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant.
Signing Kyrie effectively eliminated D’Angelo Russell from any future plans for the Nets, and the Kevin Durant signing simply closed the door behind Russell.
We won’t see the new-look Nets at full strength until the 2020-21 season but they have become the most interesting team in New York thanks to their newly acquired stars.
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