The Minnesota Timberwolves made some impressive steps towards legitimacy in 2021-22.
While they weren’t able to advance deep into the playoffs, just making the postseason was a massive accomplishment for all involved.
That said, in order to build on that foundational step, changes will need to be made.
And it appears as though one big one that the Wolves are looking at is dealing D’Angelo Russell.
According to Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer, Minnesota’s looming 2022 NBA Draft strategy will be shaped in part by the inevitability of Russell going elsewhere.
“D’Angelo Russell is being shopped around, so it makes sense for the Timberwolves to target a shot-creator with this selection,” he wrote.
“[Kentucky’s] TyTy [Washington Jr.] and Karl-Anthony Towns could make for a lethal pick-and-roll pairing, and with Anthony Edwards resembling a superstar in the playoffs (and in Hustle) Minnesota would be equipped with a dynamic offense. Whatever Russell would return in a trade could only bolster their roster even more.”
This isn’t the first time Russell’s name has come up as a trade piece this summer. One notable team has him as their Plan B, should a trade for Utah Jazz star Donovan Mitchell fail.
Russell presently has things going on in his personal life that will surely make him a bit more open to whatever leaves him with the most money and places him in the best situation to be successful.
Although he and Towns obviously wanted to play together because of their longtime friendship, a change of scenery may be best for all involved.
Don’t let Klay Thompson get hot. https://t.co/uI94n86UEq
— Game 7 (@game7__) June 13, 2022
Will the Wolves ultimately be able to get a Russell deal done before the end of this offseason?
Time will tell.
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Jennifer Withers Hoey is a former Business Development Manager who transitioned to writing about sports. With valuable connections all over the West Coast, she has used those contacts to break some of the most interesting stories pertaining to the Portland Trail Blazers, Oregon Ducks, LA Lakers, LA Clippers, Seattle Supersonics (RIP), and more.
