The Golden State Warriors are acquiring all-star guard D’Angelo Russell in a sign-and-trade deal with the Brooklyn Nets, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski is reporting.
The contract Russell is expected to sign is reportedly for four years worth $117 million.
In making this move, the Warriors would’ve been hard-capped and would likely have had to make a move to shed salary, something they did in dealing Andre Iguodala to the Memphis Grizzlies.
Russell was a restricted free agent but with the Nets reportedly signing six-time all-star Kyrie Irving his role in Brooklyn wasn’t needed anymore.
Named an all-star for the first time in his career this past season, Russell showed why he was taken No. 2 overall by the Los Angeles Lakers in 2015, averaging 21.1 points and seven assists in 81 games played, helping Brooklyn reach the post-season for the first time since 2015.
He will now join a Warriors club that has gone to the Finals five straight years but could be facing rougher waters this coming season with the reported departure of Kevin Durant (to Brooklyn) and all-star sharpshooter Klay Thompson likely to miss most of the season recovering from an ACL tear.
[relatedlinks]