The Golden State Warriors stunned the basketball world when they executed a sign-and-trade with the Brooklyn Nets to acquire the 23-year-old All-Star point guard D’Angelo Russell on June 30. The move was finalized just hours after Kevin Durant announced his decision to sign with the Nets.
For a team lacking cap space and reeling from just losing one of the league’s top talents, Golden State’s pragmatism during free agency allowed them to net a solid consolation prize. In his fourth season in the NBA, Russell, averaged 21.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, 7 assists, and 1.