Many have speculated D’Angelo Russell will be traded in the 2019-2020 season. Some even bring up the Monta Ellis days as a reason to trade him believing small ball won’t get it done. However, I believe D’Angelo Russell to be exactly what the Golden State Warriors need this season and the future.
He’s young. At just 23, he has many viable years left in his career. In fact, his career and his prime are just getting started. And with a young roster, Russell can be the young leader the Warriors need to bring their bench along. Too many times a team’s superstar is too old to relate to younger players, making it harder for the younger players–and team overall–to develop a chemistry.
Instead, Russell can be a great liaison between the aging Warriors and their young talent. With the respect of both ends of the spectrum, Russell should fit right in, be an integral part of the team and a critical part of player development.
Besides, Steph Curry’s baby face doesn’t show his true age. Yet, no matter the player’s conditioning, diet and so forth, age plagues all and eventually injuries lead to retirement. To have a young, high-caliber talent like Russell on the Warriors means a chance to remain competitive without going into a rebuilding phase. Especially when the dubs hold on to Curry, Thompson and Green, we’re looking at years of championship contention a la the aging Tim Duncan Spurs. Russell could fill a Kawhi Leonard type roll for the next few years and possibly become “the man” when the big three inevitably fade away.
Add a few high-character players like they have in recent years, and things will work themselves out in the long run. They always do….
Right?
