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D'Angelo Russell's career with his new team, the Golden State Warriors, has been stop-and-start thus far. Injuries have definitely played their part in Russell's inability to really get things going with the Dubs, having only played in 13 out of Golden State's 25 games this season.
Nevertheless, Russell appears to be adjusting well to life with the Warriors — all things considered — with the 23 year-old currently putting up almost identical numbers from his All-Star campaign last season with the Brooklyn Nets. At this point, it does appear that he has a bright future ahead with the Dubs.
As it turns out, however, Russell's career could have easily taken a considerably different path last summer, with a number of other teams reportedly willing to dig deep into their pockets in order to acquire the services of the then-highly-demanded free agent.
According to Anthony Slater of The Athletic, the Los Angeles Lakers, the team that drafted Russell with the second overall pick back in 2015 was actually in the running to sign the 6-foot-4 combo guard.
Russell only wanted serious bidders and, sources say, he had three: The Lakers — wouldn’t that have been quite the reunion? — nearing a potential $100 million offer but in limbo until Kawhi Leonard made his choice, the Wolves, up over $100 million but still needing to create cap room to get to his max, and the Warriors, offering the full max in a complicated sign-and-trade involving Durant.
That would have been quite a narrative, with Russell re-joining his former squad in what could have been a redemption tour of sorts. At the end of the day, though, the former Ohio State standout picked the Warriors and the $117 million, four-year deal they had on the table. The rest, as they say, is history.
