The Minnesota Timberwolves have been trying to acquire D’Angelo Russell in advance of Thursday’s trade deadline, and they are reportedly going to great lengths to put together a package that works for the Golden State Warriors.
The T-Wolves have been working with the Houston Rockets and Atlanta Hawks in hopes of orchestrating a four-team trade that would bring them Russell, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports. Minnesota does not want to part with a high draft pick as they continue to rebuild, but that is what the Warriors are seeking in any potential deal for Russell. That’s where the Rockets and Hawks could help.
According to Wojnarowski, a four-team deal could send Robert Covington from Minnesota to Houston, Clint Capela to Atlanta, and two first-round picks and an expiring contract to the Timberwolves. Minnesota would then have one or more draft picks to give the Warriors in exchange for Russell.
Even if they can’t land Russell, the Timberwolves might still be interested in making a deal with Atlanta and Houston to acquire additional draft capital to use in other trades.
Russell is averaging 23.8 points and 6.3 assists per game this season. He has been a lone bright spot for a Warriors team that will have a good shot at landing the No. 1 overall pick in next year’s NBA Draft. There have been questions about how Russell and Stephen Curry will mesh together on the court when Curry returns from his lengthy injury absence.
The Timberwolves have reportedly explored trading one of their top players for Russell, but it does not sound like Golden State is interested. That is likely why Minnesota is trying to get more creative by involving other teams.
