NBA: Ranking top return games from 2019-20 season

Feb. 5: Golden State Warriors at Brooklyn Nets

Prior to last season, the Brooklyn Nets had not been to the playoffs since 2014-15. A big reason for the team snapping its playoff drought was the improved play of D’Angelo Russell. Over the previous two seasons, Russell averaged a respectable 15.5 points per contest.

Last season, however, he posted career highs in several categories.

His scoring output (21.1 points per contest) increased by nearly six points per outing. He assists average jumped by nearly two per game as well. Additionally, Russell shot a career best 43.4 percent from the field and 36.9 percent from beyond the arc.

Despite his career year though, the Nets dealt Russell to the Golden State Warriors (via a sign-and-trade deal that sent Kevin Durant and a protected first-round pick to the Nets) and replaced him with Kyrie Irving.

In the eyes of some, this is considered an upgrade at the point guard postion, even though Russell was coming off the best season of his young NBA career.

On paper, Russell joining a backcourt that features the best backcourt shooting tandem in the NBA may be a strange fit, but Warriors coach Steve Kerr has a different take on the situation.

"“I’m excited to coach him, he’s a great young talent,” Kerr told NBCSports.com. “I think he’s going to fit right in with our group and we’re gonna need him desperately, without Klay (Thompson) especially.”"

Deemed as expendable by both the Los Angeles Lakers and the Nets, Russell will relish playing against the Nets team that sent him packing following an impressive season.