{"id":1376524,"date":"2021-06-23T11:50:10","date_gmt":"2021-06-23T15:50:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sports7.us\/?p=1376524"},"modified":"2021-06-23T11:50:11","modified_gmt":"2021-06-23T15:50:11","slug":"golden-state-warriors-24-million-reason-thank-dangelo-russell","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sports7.us\/news\/golden-state-warriors-24-million-reason-thank-dangelo-russell\/","title":{"rendered":"The Golden State Warriors Have a $24 Million Reason to Thank D'Angelo Russell"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Golden State Warriors<\/a> didn't have many reasons to thank D'Angelo Russell<\/a> during his short stint with the team. Russell missed 19 games for Golden State last season, and his Warriors tenure ended fittingly with a 41-point loss in which he recorded a -48 plus\/minus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the disappointing experiment went south, the Warriors<\/a> traded Russell to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Andrew Wiggins and a top-three protected draft pick in 2021. So when the T-Wolves earned the No. 7 overall pick in Tuesday's NBA draft lottery, the $24 million pick immediately conveyed to the Warriors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And it's all thanks to Russell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

D'Angelo Russell didn't fit with the Warriors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Former
D'Angelo Russell of the Golden State Warriors practices a free throw before a game against the Brooklyn Nets | Tayfun Coskun\/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When the Warriors<\/a> completed a sign-and-trade with the Brooklyn Nets to acquire Russell in 2019, the franchise believed he could bring their guard-heavy lineup to a new level. Russell added another scoring threat who could take defenders one-on-one and space the floor even more for Stephen Curry to operate. Golden State clearly had faith in Russell to become a starter for the next few seasons, as the team gave him a four-year, $117 million contract upon signing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the Warriors quickly realized they made a mistake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the 33 games Russell played with Golden State, the team went 8-25. The Warriors finished the season with a league-worst 15-50 record.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, it's not fair to put all the blame on Russell's shoulders. He played the majority of the season without Curry and Klay Thompson in the lineup, and even Draymond Green missed some time. However, for nearly $30 million a year, the Warriors hoped Russell could at least keep them afloat while their superstars recovered. Instead, Russell was more interested in stat-padding than winning games and making his younger teammates better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

General manager Bob Myers saw enough halfway through the season, so he flipped Russell for Wiggins and a top-three protected draft pick in 2021. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Warriors now have a $24 million reason to thank Russell<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The Warriors will get the 7th pick from the Timberwolves. The Andrew Wiggins for D'Angelo Russell trade has been completed. Warriors have 14 and 7 in upcoming draft.<\/p>— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) June 23, 2021<\/a><\/blockquote>