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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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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – FEBRUARY 22: Thaddeus Young #21 of the Indiana Pacers defends Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on February 22, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. D’Angelo Russell Golden State Warriors D’Angelo Russell (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

The “Light-Years” Dream: Los Angeles Lakers
Centerpiece: Anthony Davis

I bet you didn’t see this coming.

I know this seems too crazy to be possible, but are you new to the NBA? This is the NBA where insanity is the name of the game — especially in the offseason.

If the Lakers end up having a successful season, winning a title, or even if they make a deep playoff run this probably goes out the door. Anthony Davis opts out of his contract, as currently expected, and re-signs a max-contract with the Lakers.

However, their current roster is not very deep. Outside of Davis and LeBron James, the third-best player on the roster is either Kyle Kuzma or Danny Green.

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James will be 35-year-old next season and is coming off an injury-hampered year. I — like all basketball fans — hope that doesn’t become a trend, but James has reached the age where injuries can no longer be considered surprising. In fact, they tend to be par for the course.

If James suffers a significant injury, or just isn’t the same player, Davis has to look around. The Lakers traded most of their future picks to acquire Davis this offseason. If James is no longer one of the best players in basketball, Davis’ situation in Los Angeles becomes very reminiscent of his situation in New Orleans.

That could lead him to look elsewhere.

Davis would be in position to do exactly what Chris Paul did a few years ago with the Clippers. He could approach the Lakers’ front-office and say “I will be opting out and signing elsewhere, or I can opt-in and you can trade me to the Warriors and have Russell to show for it.”

Yes, Russell would be a disappointing return for Davis. The Warriors might have to package Kevon Looney and some future picks. But in this situation, they would have all the leverage.

If the Lakers had not been caught in the Kawhi Leonard sweepstakes, Russell may already be a Laker. The team had “serious interest” in their former player entering the offseason and he’d immediately become the second-best player on the roster.

Meanwhile, Golden State has eyed Davis for years. Don’t think this possibility hasn’t crossed their mind. They will be watching the Lakers closely this season.

Next. Golden State Warriors: Genius plays the team uses for their big men. dark

While Davis staying with the Lakers long-term remains the most likely outcome, if things fall apart, the Warriors are well-positioned to strike and reassert themselves at the top of the league.

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