It was a make-or-break decision the Golden State Warriors made when they completed a sign-and-trade with the Brooklyn Nets to acquire D’Angelo Russell in exchange for Kevin Durant.
In all honesty, the Warriors didn’t have much of a choice. The two-time Finals MVP had already made up his mind that he would be leaving the franchise. The Warriors felt lucky to be able to land a young star in return.
Regardless, Russell’s fit alongside the already prevalent backcourt duo of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson was questionable. How would a third guard find success alongside the Splash Brothers?