By Michael Nowels

The Mercury News

The Warriors turned difficult news into an opportunity Sunday, agreeing to a sign-and-trade deal to acquire Nets guard D’Angelo Russell in exchange for superstar Kevin Durant. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski broke the news.

Sunday afternoon, once Durant announced his intention to leave the Warriors for the Brooklyn Nets, reports surfaced that the Warriors were interested in Russell, a 2019 All-Star selection.

Russell will agree to a 4-year, $117 million maximum contract with the Warriors, Wojnarowski reported.

With Klay Thompson back in the fold but injured, the Warriors had a backcourt opening that Russell will fill, at least in the short term.

There will certainly be questions about Russell’s fit on the team once Thompson returns from his ACL injury.

Wojnarowski reports that the Warriors will have to make more room under the salary cap in order to bring Russell in, so this could be the beginning of several moves.