Former Brooklyn Nets All-Star guard D’Angelo Russell moved to the Golden State Warriors in a sign-and-trade that sent Kevin Durant the other way. Despite increased speculation throughout the NBA that Russell could play elsewhere next season, Warriors general manager Bob Myers stated that the organization is still undecided whether D-Lo fits into the team’s long-term plans.
D’Angelo Russell on the Warriors sign-and-trade coming together pic.twitter.com/quJXShu4rQ
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) July 9, 2019
“I know it’s been written and speculated. That’s fine,” Myers said. “That’s what everybody’s job is to do. We didn’t sign him with the intention of just trading him. We haven’t even seen him play in our uniform yet, and a lot of people have us already trading him. That’s not how we’re viewing it. Let’s just see what we have. Let’s see what he is. Let’s see how he fits. Part of our job in the front office and the coaching staff and the organization is, ‘How does it all work?’… So much of our sport at least, and maybe other sports, is, ‘What are you doing next?’ We got to figure out what we’re doing now.”
Warriors GM Bob Myers says they didn't trade for D'Angelo Russell just to trade him away. pic.twitter.com/t7EUffxPLa
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) July 15, 2019
After losing Kevin Durant in NBA free agency, the Warriors made a surprising move by agreeing to a max contract with Russell worth $117 million over four years. Even though Golden State wanted to get something in return out of Durant’s deal, it remains to be seen how Russell will fit into the Warriors’ system. Klay Thompson will likely not return to the floor before January and Myers is hopeful D-Lo can develop good chemistry with Stephen Curry as the two of them will lead the offense in the opening few months of the upcoming campaign.
“The West keeps getting better and better,” Myers said. “Can we compete? Yeah, I think that’s shown — at least at its core, whenever Klay comes back with Draymond and Steph — that’s a group that’s shown and proved that they can win. As far as the other pieces, we have to see.”
Following five years of dominance in the West, the Golden State Warriors are now facing possibly the biggest test since Steve Kerr became head coach. There is optimism surrounding the organization about the challenges ahead, but with the fierce competition in the conference, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Warriors out of the playoff picture next season.
