The Golden State Warriors' blockbuster sign-and-trade of Kevin Durant for Brooklyn Nets' All-Star point man D'Angelo Russell can potentially become one of their biggest assets at the trade deadline.
According to Mark Medina of the San Jose Mercury News, the team could opt to keep Russell for half of the year to help them keep their head above water and float him as a potential trade option by the February deadline after teams like the Phoenix Suns, Minnesota Timberwolves, and the Los Angeles Lakers showed interest.
Trading him would allow the Warriors to lower their tax liability, though there would need to be some cap gymnastics involved, as they're hard-capped by executing a sign-and-trade this season.
Russell's fit, despite his talent, is questionable with a motion offense — one that would force him or Stephen Curry off the ball more often than usual. Trading him, however, would open up the necessary cap room to keep Draymond Green at the end of next season, as he will look to get his money after teammate Klay Thompson grabbed the whole bag on Sunday by agreeing to a four-year, $189.6 million deal.
It's possible that Russell could just be a cog the Warriors are using to get some assets back and open up room to surround that original Big Three with a more capable bench, but the Warriors would be smart to start gauging interest in him early by giving him a chance to flourish in this system and capitalize on his potential.
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