D'Angelo Russell
D'Angelo Russell and Aaron Gordon could be sleepers come the NBA trade deadline next week. D'Angelo Russell #1 of the Brooklyn Nets dribbles the ball during the third quarter of the game against the Sacramento Kings at Barclays Center on January 21, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. Getty Images/Sarah Stier

D'Angelo Russell had a breakout year last season with the Brooklyn Nets but knew it was about to end. As most know, the 2nd overall pick ended up with the Golden State Warriors as part of the Kevin Durant trade. DLO alleges he already saw the signs towards the end of last season.

Speaking on SiriusXM NBA Radio, Russell detailed how interpersonal relationships started to change with the 2018-19 NBA season winding down. He described how things changed a bit at that point. Regardless, Russell just went through the motions of finishing the season and did his job.

“You see the same players, you see the same coaches, you see the same trainers every day, so when they start to act a little different, you’ll recognize it. You know that. I could feel it, and I just kind of played the professional route. [I] came in, got my work in every day, and just controlled what I could control,” Russell explained.

There is no question that multiple teams were looking into acquiring the 23-year-old guard. That included the Los Angeles Lakers, Russell's former team. As mentioned in a previous post, other teams linked to DLO were the Utah Jazz, Minnesota Timberwolves, Indiana Pacers and the Orlando Magic. In the end, he ended up with the Warriors who were in dire need of firepower. Klay Thompson is likely out for the rest of the 2019-20 NBA season as he recovers from an ACL injury.

With Stephen Curry and Draymond Green tasked to carry the heavy load, Russell needs to recall that brilliant showing last NBA season. Head coach Steve Kerr is confident about what he can do and believes he is a good addition.

In his first three games as a Golden State Warrior, Russell has been providing good numbers. He is averaging 16.7 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 6.0 assists. One thing that he needs to do is mature fast. Against the Oklahoma City Thunder, he lost it and got two technical fouls leading to an ejection.

With a depleted lineup, the Warriors are trying to make do with 9 players on the roster. Russell is an important piece for the Dubs. That means learning to control his emotions and staying in the basketball court.

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