The Golden State Warriors appear to see D’Angelo Russell as more than a one-year Band-Aid in Klay Thompson’s absence.
Shams Charania of The Athletic reported on Friday that rival teams who have spoken to the Warriors say they are not searching for a Russell trade, unless one blows them away.
The 23-year-old Russell holds excellent averages of 23.2 points and 6.0 assists per game this season but has been limited to 22 appearances thus far due to various injuries. He is in the first year of a four-year, $117 million deal with the Warriors, thanks to a sign-and-trade with Brooklyn for Kevin Durant.
It is fair to question Russell’s fit in Golden State once Thompson and Stephen Curry get healthy, especially with his ball-dominant style and his limitations on defense. But he is a young stud with All-Star-level talent, and the Warriors could also use Russell’s presence to lure one of his superstar buddies.
