D'Angelo Russell's time in the Bay Area was brief. However, it gave him a chance to team with a generational talent in Stephen Curry. Indirectly, he was also crucial to Curry capturing his fourth championship. Golden State traded Russell in a deal that included Andrew Wiggins. The latter played an integral role in the Warriors knocking off the Celtics in the 2022 NBA Finals.
In a recent appearance on "The Backyard Podcast," Russell discussed his preference to see his former teammate start a new chapter elsewhere. With the Warriors fixated on the Post-Curry era, he would like him to go to a place where he could once again compete for the Larry O'Brien Trophy.
"I would love to see Steph Curry go to Boston," expressed Russell. "I just think he needs that type of help around him now. Like who's taking the load off him in Golden State? The rookie [the Warriors' first-round pick, Yaxel Lendeborg]? Is Jimmy [Butler]?"
It would be great to see the two-time league MVP spend his entire career with the same franchise. That has become increasingly rare across sports. However, if that's what he wants, it should happen. And if he'd prefer to take his talents elsewhere, he might steer his way to his hometown team, the Charlotte Hornets.
But if he changes jerseys, the Celtics have the pieces to make Russell's wish come true.
D'Angelo Russell urges Stephen Curry to join the Celtics
Brad Stevens could ring his counterpart, Mike Dunleavy's line, and offer him a package built around draft capital and promising young talent, such as Hugo Gonzalez, Baylor Scheierman, and Jordan Walsh.
Regardless of who C's fans would like to see excluded from any proposal for Curry, the point is that they have the ammunition to acquire him. That includes the two draft assets they received from the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for Jaylen Brown [who addressed his character attacks at his introductory press conference with the Sixers].
While Curry's current team isn't title-worthy, he is still capable of leading a top contender. His joining forces with Jayson Tatum would allow Boston to fit that description.
"I just think I would love to see him in green somewhere, and him and Tatum and Paul George taking on the league," voiced Russell.
It would be a thrilling way to see the greatest shooter of all-time, who reshaped the game of basketball, finish his career -- granted, he could later go to Charlotte or return to San Francisco.
But a run with the Celtics is a valid reason for the NBA's original monarchy to cash in some of its top assets. For a much smaller price, the Warriors could have acquired Jaylen Brown. It was a potential move that could have brought the five-time All-Star and LeBron James to the Bay. They passed on that. They also opted against adding James and Anthony Davis at a steep discount.
While that could help Golden State in the future, the team's aging core doesn't offer a promising outlook for them next season. If Curry changes teams, it still seems more likely it wouldn't happen until next summer, but it makes him a name to monitor from now through the trade deadline.
And if he is at the heart of a blockbuster trade, the Celtics have what's needed to delight Russell when he learns where Curry's headed and land Tatum a new star running mate.
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