Tag: D-Lo

Warriors Rewind: D’Angelo Russell drops career-high 52 points vs. Timberwolves in 2019

With no hoops on the schedule, Warriors Wire is rewinding through Golden State’s history for memorable matchups and standout performances.

With no hoops on the calendar, Warriors Wire is rewinding the tape back through Golden State’s history for memorable matchups, standout performances and everything else in between.

Although injuries and a league-worst 15-50 record headlined the Golden State Warriors 2019-20 campaign, efforts from Eric Paschall and D’Angelo Russell were able to set San Francisco’s Chase Center into a frenzy on a handful of occasions.

November 9, 2019

While he only played 33 games in the Golden State Warriors No. 0 uniform, Russell provided several electric performances during his stint in the Bay Area.

Before he was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves at the deadline, the former first-round pick lit up his future team for a memorable performance. 

The 24-year-old point guard tallied a career-high 52 points on 19-of-37 shooting in 40 minutes against the Timberwolves. During his career-night, Russell knocked down 7-of-17 from beyond the arc.

Russell filled the boxscore, adding nine rebounds, five assists, three steals and two blocks.

However, Russell’s 52 point effort wasn’t enough to close out the Timberwolves in overtime.

Future Warrior Andrew Wiggins helped spoil Russell’s career-high with 40 points, seven assists and five rebounds and three blocks for Minnesota. Karl Anthony-Towns added a double-double effort with 20 points and 14 boards in the Timberwolves’ overtime win, 125-119.

Watch highlights from Russell’s career-high via House of Highlights on YouTube:

During his run in the Bay Area, 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.

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D’Angelo Russell names Stephen Curry in his all-time NBA starting five

In his all-time NBA starting lineup, D’Angelo Russell included his former Golden State teammate.

At the start of the 2019-20 season, the Golden State Warriors consisted of a shiny new backcourt duo. However, injuries hampered the tandem of Stephen Curry and D’Angelo Russell before it could blossom.

Curry suffered a hand injury in the fourth game of the season, forcing Russell to take over the reins of the Golden State offense. In 33 games, the Ohio State product averaged 23.6 points on 43% shooting with 6.2 assists and 3.7 rebounds in 32.1 minutes per game.

Before Curry could return healthy, the Warriors moved Russell in a four-player deal to the Minnesota Timberwolves at the NBA trade deadline.

Although their time together sharing the backcourt was limited, Russell had high praise for his former teammate in a social media interview. The 24-year-old point guard was asked to name his all-time starting five hoops lineup.

Russell stuck with a relatively modern group for his all-time lineup, yet he couldn’t narrow down his squad to just five players. The 24-year-old point guard listed Curry alongside Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Shaquille O’Neal.

Via @gswchris on Twitter:

In Minnesota, the one-time All-Star is averaging 21.7 points on 41.2% shooting from the field in 12 games. Curry and Russell will have to wait until next season to lace up against each other for the first time since the blockbuster move.

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Steve Kerr on D’Angelo Russell with Warriors: ‘you can rightfully question the fit’

Steve Kerr told media that D’Angelo Russell’s fit with the Warriors was questionable from the moment they signed him in the offseason.

From the moment D’Angelo Russell arrived in Golden State, there were questions surrounding how he fit in Steve Kerr’s rotation.

Over the past five years, Golden State has been spoiled with one of the best backcourts in the NBA that included both Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, adding another guard to that tandem — even if he’s an All-Star caliber talent like Russell, could create a logjam.

However, injuries to Thompson and Curry halted the Warriors All-Star backcourt trio experiment before it could even begin.

For the first time since the trade deadline, the Warriors’ head coach spoke to the Media, and Kerr brought up the unconventional fit of Russell in Golden State’s backcourt.

Well, I think to be perfectly blunt, the fit was questionable when we signed him, but nobody questioned that — when you already have Steph and Klay, and you add a ball-dominant guard, you can rightfully question the fit,

With there being doubt about his ability to share a backcourt with Curry and Thompson from the start, Kerr told reporters at Friday’s practice that his fit was one of the reasons Russell’s name was regularly involved in trade rumors.

It was one of the reasons the trade rumors started before the season even began, and I think D’Angelo understood that when he signed the contract and our organization understood that as well — the trade ended up happening, I think we at least got a 50 game look at what it might look like of course that kind of went awry when Steph got injured, but you get a good enough look to picture how the positional fit goes, and I think we have an idea that the other player makes more sense and in this case,

With Russell now in Minnesota, Kerr will turn his focus on building his new backcourt while Thompson and Curry are still rehabbing. Golden State’s guard combinations will take on a youth movement with Ky Bowman, Jordan Poole, Damion Lee and Zach Norvell Jr. taking over a substantial share of minutes until Curry returns.

Omari Spellman posts farewell to ‘Dub Nation’ after being traded to the Timberwolves

After being included in the D’Angelo Russell trade package with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Omari Spellman posted a goodbye message to the Golden State Warriors fanbase on his Instagram.

One of the bright spots of the Golden State Warrior struggling season has been the arrival of Omari Spellman. The young big man came to Golden State in a trade from the Atlanta Hawks. However, his tenure in the Bay Area was short-lived.

Spellman was part of the blockbuster package that included D’Angelo Russell and Jacob Evans III in a deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves. On the other end, the Timberwolves will send Andrew Wiggins and draft pick compensation for the trio of now-former Warriors.

On his way to Minnesota, Spellman used his Instagram to bid farewell to the Bay Area.

Aye dog none of that feeling sorry for me! NO HARD FEELINGS! I ENJOYED MY TIME IN THE BAY! AND I APPRECIATED DUB NATION WELCOMING ME! ITS BEEN REAL!

Spellman impressed in a small role for the Warriors, averaging 7.6 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. The Villanova product developed an outside game with the Warriors, shooting a career-high 39.1 % from beyond the arc. Spellman knocked down two or more long-distance shots 10 times this season.

Spellman scored in double-figures 16 times in 2019-20, including 23-points off the bench against the Detroit Pistons. Spellman’s improving play earned him a start in Steve Kerr’s rotation three times during his time with Golden State.

Spellman will now compete for a role in Minnesota with Juan Hernangomez, Naz Reid and James Johnson behind All-Star center, Karl Anthony-Towns.

Report: Warriors trade D’Angelo Russell to Timberwolves for Andrew Wiggins and picks

According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the Golden State Warriors are moving D’Angelo Russell, Omari Spellman and Jacob Evans III to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Andrew Wiggins and draft pick compensation.

Since the time D’Angelo Russell arrived in Golden State, there have been trade rumors swirling around the 23-year-old former All-Star. On the day of the NBA trade deadline, those rumors seem to be turning into reality.

According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the Warriors are trading D’Angelo Russell, Omari Spellman and Jacob Evans III to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Andrew Wiggins and draft pick compensation that includes a 2021 top-three protected draft pick. The Warriors are reported to be acquiring a 2021 second-round pick in the package for Russell, Spellman and Evans III.

 

Since Russell’s 2019 free agency, the Timberwolves have been linked to the former Ohio State Buckeye, once a member of Golden State, the rumors of Minnesota and the Warriors trade chatter swirled all season. Now, with only hours till the trade deadline, the Timberwolves got their point-guard to pair with All-Star center, Karl-Anthony Towns.

In his first season with the Golden State Warriors, Russell was Steve Kerr’s leading offensive initiator, averaging 23.6 points and 6.2 assists per game. Russell registered 10 games of 30 points or more this season, including a career-high 52-point effort against his new team, the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Along with Russell, young players, Spellman and Evans III, will be traded to Minnesota as well. Evans III, the Warriors 2019 first road pick, hasn’t found consistency in his young NBA career, dealing with injuries that have limited him to only 52 games in two seasons.

Spellman came from the Atlanta Hawks over the offseason and impressed in a limited role for Golden State. With the Warriors, Spellman averaged 7.6 points and 4.6 rebounds in 18.1 minutes per game. The former Villanova Wildcat was able to stretch the floor for Golden State, shooting a career-high 39.1 % from beyond the arc.

In the deal, the Warriors are getting back 2014’s No. 1 overall pick in Wiggins. The former Rookie of the Year will slide next to Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson once the “Splash Brother” duo returns healthy.

One day after trading Alec Burks and Glenn Robinson III, the Warriors added two more draft picks from the Russell package deal. Minnesota is sending their 2021 first-round pick and a 2022 second-rounder, adding to the bevy of picks Golden State has amassed from the 2020 trade season.

There is still time left before the NBA trade deadline passes. However, the Warriors have little assets left to move after trading six players leading up to Thursday’s trade deadline.

Nets fans show D’Angelo Russell love in his first return to Brooklyn

In his first return to Brooklyn’s Barclays Center, fans of the Nets chanted thank you praise for D’Angelo Russell.

It’s been a whirlwind week for D’Angelo Russell. The 23-year-old guard has been dealing with trade rumors leading up to the league’s Thursday trade deadline. On top of that, Russell missed the Warriors matchup in Washington with a quad injury.

With trade rumors flying, Russell has been at the center of the Golden State Warriors chatter. Multiple teams have been linked to trading for Russell, including both the New York Knicks and the Minnesota Timberwolves.

However, before the trade deadline, the Warriors still had games on the schedule, including a homecoming with Russell and the Brooklyn Nets.
The game started off to a different pace against the Nets when the Warriors held out both Glenn Robinson III and Alec Burks with the trade deadline looming.

Although when Russell took to the free-throw line, fans of the Nets let their former All-Star guard know how thankful they were for his time in Brooklyn. Fans chanted, “thank you, D-Lo,” when he went to the line.

Russell spent two seasons in Brooklyn, leading them to an Eastern Conference playoff appearance in his final season. In his career with the Nets, he averaged 19.0 points and 6.3 assists per game. Russell represented Brooklyn in the 2019 All-Star game, the team’s first appearance All-Star since 2014.

Report: New York Knicks interested in trading for Warriors’ D’Angelo Russell

According to SportsNet New York, the New York Knicks have interest in trading for Warriors’ D’Angelo Russell.

As the NBA rapidly approaches the 2020 trade deadline on February 6, each day brings a new team into the D’Angelo Russell rumor mill. Since his arrival at Golden State, teams from across the league have shown interest in trying to acquire Russell’s talents from the Warriors.

The Minnesota Timberwolves have been linked to Russell since the time he was a free agent over the offseason and have continued to pursue him throughout his time as a member of Golden State. Marc Stein of The New York Times has reported that it’s “no secret Minnesota wants D-Lo badly.”

If the Warriors decide to move Russell, Minnesota may have some competition for the 23-year-old former Brooklyn Nets’ All-Star.

SportsNet New York’s Ian Begley reported the Knicks to have “registered interest” in Russell, with forward Bobby Portis as one of the names in the deal to bring the former Ohio State Buckeye to Madison Square Garden.

The Knicks have registered interest with Golden State about trading for D’Angelo Russell, league sources confirm. It’s unclear how far along talks have gone, but Bobby Portis is one name that came up in the conversations, per SNY sources.

Begley additionally reported that 21-year-old French guard, Frank Ntilikina is another name that could be attached to a trade for Russell.

Per SNY sources, Frank Ntilikina’s name has also come up in conversations between the Knicks and Warriors around Russell.

In his first season with Golden State, Russell is averaging 23.8 points and 6.3 assists in 32 games. The looming question surrounding Russell’s future in Golden State relates to injured two-time Most Valuable Player, Stephen Curry. Curry has been injured all but four games in the 2019-20 season, limiting the opportunity to build chemistry in the same backcourt as Russell.

Bob Myers and Steve Kerr will be forced to decide between either entertaining trade offers for Russell before the deadline or keep him in Golden State to see how he plays next to Curry.

Injury Report; D’Angelo Russell (quad contusion) ruled out vs. Wizards

D’Angelo Russell will miss the third game of the Warriors’ five-game road trip in Washington with a quad contusion.

Since the start of the 2020 New Year, the Golden State Warriors have mightily struggled, losing 13-of-15 games. Yet, the team looked to be turning things around with a win 131-115 win in Cleveland amid their five-game east coast road swing.

However, for the Warriors, things got tougher in game three of the trip in Washington. D’Angelo Russell has been ruled out against the Wizards with a quad contusion.

Washington will be Russell’s 19th game of the season he’s missed due to injury. A flurry of different ailments has taken the former Eastern Conference All-Star out of games this season, including a shoulder, thumb, ankle and now quad injury. With their leading scorer out of Steve Kerr’s rotation, the Warriors have managed only three wins on 18 attempts.

Second-year guard, Jacob Evans III will start in Russell’s place in Washington. Draymond Green and Alec Burks should also see an increase in ball-handling responsibilities as the Warriors try to win two-straight games.

Warriors could face up to $77.5 million luxury tax with new salary cap projections

With new NBA salary cap projections released, the Golden State Warriors could face a heightened luxury tax.

The NBA salary cap projections could have stifling consequences on the Golden State Warriors.

The league released projections for salary cap and luxury tax for the 2020-21 season to teams Thursday, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and Bobby Marks.

With a lower salary cap and luxury tax than expected, the Warriors could be on the hook for a tax payment as high as $77.5 million, about $12 million more than what was expected.

The salary cap is expected to be $115 million, according to Wojnarowski. That would be an increase from the 2019-20 season, but not as much as the previously-predicted $116 million.

The luxury tax is projected to be $139 million, Wojnarowski reported.

As the roster currently stands, the Warriors’ 2020-21 payroll will be $147.87 million, according to Basketball Reference.

Four players on the Warriors roster are set to receive more than $20 million: Draymond Green’s extension will start at $22 million, D’Angelo Russell will be paid more than $28 million, Klay Thompson $35 million and Stephen Curry $40 million.

The Warriors will also likely add a high first-round draft pick to the sheet. A top-five pick would result in a cap hit ranging from $6.8 million to $10.73 million.

Golden State has a $5.9 million exception to use on a free agent, according to Wojnarowski and Marks.

If the Warriors use the entire taxpayer mid-level exception, their luxury tax bill could range from $77.5M if they get the No. 1 pick to as low as $61M if they get the No. 5 pick.

The easiest way to get under the luxury tax would be to trade Russell. A highly-coveted free agent this past offseason, he will have three years left for about $30 million per year after this season.

Moving his contract would put Golden State right near the luxury line, depending on other roster changes, and allow them to move manageable contracts to clear the rest of the way if needed.

But the Warriors have not been shy about exceeding the luxury tax in recent years. If the front office feels the team can still compete for a title when Curry and Thompson return from injury, it may pay the price again.

USA TODAY Sports Media Group salary cap expert Yossi Gozlan contributed research to this report.

Steve Kerr seeing improvement from Draymond Green and D’Angelo Russell

Steve Kerr says he’s seeing improvement between D’Angelo Russell and Draymond Green.

The common factor when it comes to the Golden State Warriors record sitting at the bottom of the Westen Conference is the injuries to Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. Without the “Splash Brothers,” the rest of Golden State is in evaluation mode.

A big question mark for the 2019-20 season surrounded two former NBA All-Stars — how will Draymond Green and D’Angelo Russell work together? Each has dealt with nagging injuries, yet Steve Kerr is happy how they’ve improved together as his primary offensive ball-handlers.

We’ve seen improvement within the last few games to where they share the ball-handling responsibilities — ‘D-Lo’ gets off the ball some and Draymond handles, then we flip that — D-Lo will handle to the ball and Draymond will play a more traditional screening role — last night it was very effective.

Against the Philadelphia 76ers, the Warriors had a chance an upset bid on the back of Russell and Green. Russell netted 28 points, while Green only added nine points, but the duo combined for 19 assists. Green was only one board and one point away from registering a triple-double in Philly.

When it comes to Russell, Kerr is especially impressed with the way he’s able to find other Warriors, while still carrying the scoring load.

I think D’Angelo’s been really, really good — setting other guys up, also looking to score, creating offense for us — playing at a high level.

Over his past 10-games, Russell is averaging 27.6 points and 6.9 assists per game. In the Warriors win against the Orlando Magic, Russell dropped 26 points, adding a season-high 12 assists.

Throughout the remainder of the season, Green and Russell’s development as a duo will play a significant piece heading into free agency. How the two will fit as a unit next to Thompson and Curry will give Bob Myers an idea whom he can plug around the rest of the roster to get back into championship contention.