With the Splash Brothers on the injury report, D’Angelo Russell took over as the lead guard in Golden State for the 2019-20 season. Although his run with the Warriors was short, Russell provided a handful of exciting moments in the Bay Area.
During his Golden State stint, the former Brooklyn All-Star averaged 23.6 points on 42.6% shooting from the field, with 6.3 assists, 3.9 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game.
Early in the season against the Timberwolves, Russell recorded a career-high 52 points on 19-of-37 shooting with seven triples. In a loss to the Dallas Mavericks in January, Russell ripped off 30 points with eight 3-pointers in the first 24 minutes of the game.
Despite his steady numbers, there were always question marks around Russell’s fit with Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. However, injuries spoiled the Curry-Russell experiment before it could begin.
[lawrence-related id=22043]
With Curry still on the bench, the Warriors moved Russell to the Minnesota Timberwolves in a multi-player blockbuster deal at the trade deadline that landed Andrew Wiggins and two draft picks in San Francisco.
Although his time with the Warriors ended after 33 games, Steve Kerr said Russell “lit up the gym” when he arrived in Golden State. In an appearance on The Athletic’s Hoops Adjacent Podcast with David Aldridge and Wosny Lambre, Kerr praised the former Buckeye’s skillset when discussing Golden State’s moves with Kevin Durant, Russell and Wiggins.
Via The Athletic’s Hoops Adjacent Podcast:
When we decided to do the sign and trade with KD [Kevin Durant] going to the Nets — the ability to pick up a talent like D-Lo [Russell] would not have been available through any other means. So, it was definitely an asset play, and D-Lo was one of the best shooters in the league with skills. And he came in and lit up the gym. He had some nights that were just incredible. I think he made like six threes in the first five minutes of a game against Dallas. The guy’s skill is undeniable.
Listen to the full Hoops Adjacent Podcast with Kerr here.
With Russell’s time in Golden State in the past, the next page turns to Wiggins. The Warriors can use their extended offseason to utilize the former Rookie of the Year in Golden State’s system alongside Curry, Thompson and Draymond Green.
[lawrence-related id=25067,25044,22043,27791,26576]
[vertical-gallery id=29502]