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Golden State Warriors: 5 potential trade packages for D’Angelo Russell

By Marc Delucchi

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 19: D'Angelo Russell #1 of the Brooklyn Nets reacts during their game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center on March 19, 2019 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 19: D'Angelo Russell #1 of the Brooklyn Nets reacts during their game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center on March 19, 2019 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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Golden State Warriors
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – MARCH 04: Kelly Oubre Jr. #3 of the Phoenix Suns and Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks hold the ball during the second half of the NBA game at Talking Stick Resort Arena on March 04, 2019 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Bucks 114-105. D’Angelo Russell Golden State Warriors D’Angelo Russell (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

The Unknown: Phoenix Suns
Centerpieces: Kelly Oubre and Mikal Bridges

The Suns belong on any list of trade fits with every player because, well…they’re the Suns.

They currently hold the ‘LOL title’ of current NBA franchises and are still looking to find a competitive team. It doesn’t help that they are in the best division in the best conference in basketball.

Having to face off against the Lakers, Warriors, Clippers, and Kings more than any other opponent over the next few seasons won’t be ideal.

Still, they try. One presumes.

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Recent draft picks Deandre Ayton and Devin Booker look like future All-Stars, but outside of that, the roster is filled with question marks.

Booker is a lifelong friend of Russell’s and reportedly campaigned his front-office to add the guard, but they opted for Ricky Rubio instead due to fears Russell was a bad influence. Normally, this would eliminate Phoenix as a long-term destination, but no team is more likely to pull an about-face.

Plus, if Russell has a strong season in Golden State, concerns about his character will dissipate rather quickly.

The Suns’ roster is a dearth of talent so their lottery pick next season would probably be the big get in a deal for Russell, but Kelly Oubre and Mikal Bridges are two young wings that would also aid the Warriors filling out their roster going forward.

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If the Suns finish with a top pick, any deal is probably off the table. However, if Russell has a strong season, Booker and Ayton take solid steps forward, and the team finishes with a pick somewhere from 7-12 in the lottery, the Warriors could see Bridges and the pick as long-term pieces while Oubre would be a solid bench addition.

The Suns would also have the cap space to take on the gap in contracts, giving the Warriors another trade exception that could be useful in another move.

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