The Golden State Warriors may have lost Kevin Durant, but they found a way to acquire another All-Star: D’Angelo Russell is headed to San Francisco in a sign and trade, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Warriors are on verge of acquiring Russell, Treveon Graham and Shabazz Napier from Brooklyn, league sources said. https://t.co/4HefUBSNQA
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2019
To make room for Russell, the Warriors are trading Andre Iguodala to the Memphis Grizzlies, and according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, are giving up a draft pick, which could become a quite valuable asset, in order to coerce Memphis into taking on Iguodala’s salary.
Golden State is trading Andre Iguodala to the Memphis Grizzlies, league source tells ESPN. Warriors are sending a 2024 protected first-round pick in the 2024 (protected 1-4), 2025 (protected 1) and 2026 unprotected.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2019
Russell made the first All-Star Game of his career in 2019 and enjoyed his best season yet, averaging 21.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, seven assists and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 43.4% from the field and 36.9% from 3-point range. All those numbers were career highs.
Russell’s fit may be a bit complex once Klay Thompson returns from his torn ACL (assuming Thompson indeed re-signs with the Warriors), but it shouldn’t be too awkward; Thompson is big enough to slide down to the 3, and a lineup of Curry-Russell-Thompson-Draymond Green-mystery center should be pretty fun.
