5 realistic big-name trade targets for the Minnesota Timberwolves

Target #3 – D’Angelo Russell

You knew it was coming.

Earlier this summer, I wrote about what D-Lo would bring to the Wolves and was 100 percent, all-in on the Minnesota acquiring the All-Star point guard.

Not much has changed. I still would love for the Wolves to acquire him, have money on it happening at +3000 odds, and truly believe he’ll be wearing a Timberwolves jersey after the All-Star break.

In Russell, the Wolves could be acquiring a proficient isolation scorer who doubles as a wizard with the ball in his hands in the pick-and-roll as a playmaker and shot-creator.

Last season, a whopping 71.2 percent of D-Lo’s made field went unassisted, which placed him seventh in the NBA. In the last 10 years, the Wolves have struggled to find trustworthy, go-to bucket-getters at the end of games.

Last year, things hit rock bottom against the Grizzlies…..

Needless to say, Jerryd Bayless is NOT the guy you want taking two shots in the last 10 seconds of an NBA game with everything hanging in the balance.

D’Angelo Russell, however, is that guy.

If that doesn’t do it for you, here’s more proof:

In addition to his ability to carry the load offensively on nights when Towns isn’t making shots or is in foul trouble, Russell can get everyone involved in the offense and get his teammates the ball in their spots.

He’s got a tremendous handle and uses different speeds to manipulate defenses and keep on-ball defenders off-balance, especially when operating out of the pick-and-roll. Russell frequently took taller defenders out to the perimeter when they switched onto him after screens and made them look silly.

The former Ohio State standout can both create space for his own shots off the bounce or get downhill with a head of steam towards the rim to either finish in traffic, kick opposite, or kick to open, strong-side shooters when the defense collapses on him.

In addition to creating shots for himself and others, D-Lo is an excellent standstill shooter. He connected on 39.4 percent of spot-up threes, while shooting a mind-boggling 63.2 percent from the right corner and 39.4 percent from the left corner.

Russell is a unique offensive talent that grew significantly under the tutelage of former Nets player development coach and current Wolves assistant coach, Pablo Prigioni, during his time in Brooklyn. If Rosas can swing a deal for the offensive juggernaut, you can bet that Russell’s game will rise to new heights.

Now, for the fun stuff.

The Trade

The Warriors have two huge holes heading into the 2019-20 NBA season: a backup point guard and a starting small forward. Sure, Klay Thompson can start at the 3 when he returns from injury, but D’Angelo Russell instantly becomes the odd-man-out when the Splash Brothers are reunited.

Let’s not forget what Marc Stein had to say shortly after Russell was acquired:

As for the Golden State side of the deal, Jeff Teague could be a high-level backup point guard who has plenty of playoff experience and could provide a nice scoring boost off the bench down the stretch of the season. Teague’s ability to get in the lane and either finish, draw fouls, or kick to shooters would be surely welcomed in a Golden State offense that loads shooters on the perimeter.

Imagine running into a team featuring Klay Thompson, Robert Covington, and Draymond Green as their three wing defenders in the playoffs. Personally, I would want absolutely no part in playing offense against this nightmarish trio, and you can bet that the Warriors would love to add a player like Covington to its lineup.

As a team that’s one of the most cap-strapped in the history of the league, Warriors general manager Bob Myers would be over the moon if he landed a 3-and-D player of RoCo’s caliber on such a team-friendly contract (3-years, $36.4 million).

My hope is that the Golden State front office has a good relationship with (and thankfulness for) Gersson Rosas because of the help he gave them in acquiring D’Angelo Russell from Brooklyn by taking Treveon Graham and Shabazz Napier off the Warriors’ hands in exchange for cash considerations.

Trade negotiations can go south quickly if there is a lack of mutual respect between parties, but given Rosas’s history in helping craft a Rockets team that was one quarter away from dismantling the Warriors’ dynasty and aiding the Warriors in July, I’d be surprised if Bob Myers didn’t take Minnesota’s calls come January.

But until then, hope is all we have.