DURANT DEALT FOR D'ANGELO RUSSELL!
The Brooklyn Nets acquired forward Kevin Durant and a protected first-round draft pick in 2020 from the Golden State Warriors for guards D'Angelo Russell and Shabazz Napier plus forward Treveon Graham.
What does it give the New Jersey Nets
It was a major coup for the Nets to be able to land Durant, arguably the best pure scorer in the NBA. Unfortunately, Brooklyn will not have the veteran forward in the lineup until the 2020-21 campaign, as he is expected to miss next season recovering from a torn Achilles tendon. Still, Brooklyn feels the arrival of Durant, coupled with point guard Kyrie Irving (a free agent addition), will give the club its best chance to win an NBA title--ever.
What does it give the Golden State Warriors
Once it became clear that Durant wanted to move to Brooklyn to play with Irving, Golden State scrambled to get the best possible deal here. In Russell, the Warriors land an emerging guard coming off a breakthrough campaign with the Nets. Russell, who played point guard in Brooklyn, will move off the ball to partner with Steph Curry in Golden State. When injured guard Klay Thompson returns at some point in '19-20, the latter may move to small forward.
Fantasy impact
Durant's fantasy status is up in the air since his return to action is over a year away. He will be drafted (or kept) in most keeper formats but should not be touched at all in non-keeper leagues this year. As for Russell, his role may be a lot different in Golden State than what it was with Brooklyn, so do not overrate Russell on draft day.
