D’Angelo Russell’s importance to the Timberwolves is clearer than ever

D’Angelo Russell was acquired by the Timberwolves nearly two years ago with the idea that pairing him with Karl-Anthony Towns would offer a dynamic pick-and-roll duo and the nucleus of a team that could quickly reach the playoffs.

Things haven’t exactly worked out that way, due to a combination of injuries and, in the case of Russell, underwhelming all-around play. So far this season, however, Russell’s importance to the Wolves has never been more clear.

D’Angelo Russell’s importance to the Timberwolves is clearer than ever

Earlier this season, D’Angelo Russell missed a pair of games — both blowout losses to the LA Clippers — with a sprained ankle. After playing in 15 consecutive contests, Russell has missed the last three with soreness in the same ankle.

The Wolves have struggled to a No. 22 ranking in 3-point shooting percentage this season while launching the second-most long-range attempts per game. The offense ranks No. 24, and the Wolves are No. 22 in free throw attempts per field goal attempt.

Oh, and there’s this:

Obvious caveats apply, including the fact that we’re still just one-third of the way through the season. But it’s notable nonetheless.

It’s a bit baffling considering Russell’s individual numbers, too: Russell is currently having the worst shooting season of his career, making only 38.2 percent of his field goal attempts and 32.3 percent of his 3-point tries. Consequently, his effective field goal and true shooting percentages are also his worst marks ever.

But it’s the threat of Russell that has such a major impact on opposing defenses.

With no DLo, Timberwolves opponents don’t have to worry about a dynamic shooter who can get hot in a hurry with limitless range. Instead, there is more reliance on reluctant and/or pedestrian long-range shooters on the perimeter, including Jordan McLaughlin, Jaden McDaniels, and Josh Okogie.

Defenses are happy to dare players not named Karl-Anthony Towns to shoot, and without the threat of Russell lurking on the perimeter, there are simply more opportunities for defenses to do just that.

Additionally, the creativity of Russell’s passing is gone. Patrick Beverley is a fantastic defender and, at least for most of his career, has been a strong perimeter shooter, but he isn’t in the same realm as Russell when it comes to passing and initiating offense. DLo’s 32.5 percent assist rate is easily the best on the team, and the offense simply hasn’t flowed well without him .

Without the threat of Russell’s shooting range and his dynamic passing ability, opposing defenses are even more comfortable collapsing on Towns, forcing others to try and beat them. And with Anthony Edwards struggling in Russell’s absence, there isn’t anyone else who has shown the ability to make defenses pay.

When Russell missed time earlier this year, yours truly campaigned for Malik Beasley to earn time with the starting lineup to try and offer something of a shooting threat along with Edwards and Towns. But Beasley didn’t get that opportunity.

Then again, to make matters worse, Beverley, Taurean Prince, and Beasley are all shooting a career-worst from outside the arc.

At some point, those numbers have to come up a bit. But Russell returning to action should immediately give the offense a boost, and it simply can’t come soon enough.