When the Golden State Warriors landed D’Angelo Russell in the sign-and-trade that sent Kevin Durant to Brooklyn, many thought it was a bad fit. Apparently, so did Steve Kerr.
Speaking to reporters Friday, Kerr issued an incredibly blunt comment about Russell’s tenure with the club, saying, “To be blunt, the fit was questionable when we signed him,” per Logan Murdock of NBC Sports.
Golden State, of course, sent Russell to the Minnesota Timberwolves ahead of the NBA trade deadline, acquiring Andrew Wiggins in the exchange. Speaking about that trade on Friday, Kerr shared that the front office believes the 2020 NBA Draft is short on long wings and talked about Wiggins as a good fit.
That Russell wasn’t a good fit for the Warriors hasn’t hurt the franchise whatsoever this season, which was pretty much a lost one from the start due to injuries. In the long run, what the franchise did may be perfect for its long-term plans. But on a personal level for Russell, it’s not hard to imagine that being used as a pawn isn’t exactly the best feeling in the world.