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Adrian Wojnarowski and Shams Charania reported late Sunday that the Nets are trading D’Angelo Russell, Shabazz Napier and Treveon Graham to the Warriors in a sign-and-trade. Napier and Graham were later moved to Minnesota in a cash deal.
The only thing missing from the reports was the Nets compensation. That turned out to be Kevin Durant and a protected first round pick, Woj reported late Monday.
Here’s the chronology...
At 8:30 a.m. Monday, Woj said the two sides were still working things out...
Woj: Warriors still working on acquiring Russell https://t.co/oozcVlcmEv
— NetsDaily (@NetsDaily) July 1, 2019
Then, at 1 p.m., he tweeted that the Nets will be getting a protected first rounder in the exchange...
Deal will include Golden State sending a protecting future first-round pick to Brooklyn, league sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/BndEZPRblo
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2019
Russell is getting a four-year, $117 million contract as part of the trade. Both Woj and Bobby Marks predicted the Nets return would be small, perhaps a second rounder. Bobby Marks told Greg Logan that the Nets “bent over backward” to facilitate the S&T and probably wouldn’t get much more than a top-55 protected pick.
Shams broke the news in a series of tweets...
Warriors are on verge of acquiring Russell, Treveon Graham and Shabazz Napier from Brooklyn, league sources said. https://t.co/4HefUBSNQA
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2019
Minutes later, Woj added another detail...
Golden State has to unload salary elsewhere to make this sign-and-trade happen --- which means Andre Iguodala could be on the move, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2019
Indeed, that’s exactly what happened.
Golden State is trading Andre Iguodala to the Memphis Grizzlies, league source tells ESPN. Warriors are sending a 2024 protected first-round pick in the 2024 (protected 1-4), 2025 (protected 1) and 2026 unprotected.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2019
Russell, of course, had a career year this past season, averaging 21.1 points and 6.9 assists while breaking the Nets record for three pointers in a season with 235. The Nets, faced with a choice of DLo vs. Kyrie Irving, chose to pursue Irving at Russell’s expense.
While prepared to let him go without compensation, the Nets were willing to entertain sign-and-trade scenarios for the 23-year-old and the Warriors expressed interest.
Teammates offered congratulations to Russell ...
D LOOOOOOOOO GET PAID MY BROTHER!! @Dloading
— BigSauce (@alantwilliams) July 1, 2019
My guy @Dloading!!!!!!!!!!!!! You deserved this bruh!!!!!!!! https://t.co/vLXXaFxpY2
— Jared Dudley (@JaredDudley619) July 1, 2019
The Nets had been willing to sign Russell to a new deal if Irving had turned them down, but did not believe the two could play together.
“I definitely want to be here,” he told reporters. “But I also know it’s a business, too. So I’m not going to play that role like I don’t know what could possibly happen.”
- Sources: Russell joining GSW, Iguodala to Grizz - Adrian Wojnarowski - ESPN
- The Nets pulled off another stunner with D’Angelo Russell trade return - Brian Lewis - New York Post
- Nets are trading D’Angelo Russell to revamped Warriors - New York Post
- D’Angelo Russell is going to the Warriors - Stefan Bondy - New York Daily News