D’Angelo Russell is content with no contract progress
First, let’s focus our attention on the elephant in the room, PG D’Angelo Russell‘s contract situation. If there is one single player who should be ecstatic with the Timberwolves roster reconstruction, it’s DLo. He has been a player who has struggled to find his way so far on the Minnesota Timberwolves roster,
Had a couple people today at #Timberwolves Media Day note to me how DLo and his vibe is in a great place. Here he is on the lack of movement on a contract extension: pic.twitter.com/tyin2e0yGC
— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) September 26, 2022
The Timberwolves are in no hurry to extend Russell because, simply put, the team wants to see how well he drives this high-powered roster this year. The addition of center Rudy Gobert will help D’Angelo Russell tremendously. Not only does Gobert offer Russell a wide range of options out of the pick and roll, but Russell will have a much greater number of options to charge to the basket, pass to the open shooter, or simply lay up a perfect lob pass to Gobert for an almost certain score.
That will almost certainly drive up DLo’s value, and that means his contract offer will inflate accordingly.
Austin Rivers is a player to keep on your radar
I like the calm demeanor that a veteran like Austin Rivers brings to this team. While he may not be putting up All-Star numbers, he is a 10-year NBA veteran who followed Minnesota Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations Tim Connelly from the Denver Nuggets to the Timberwolves. Clearly, Connelly loves his locker room presence.
Thoroughly enjoyed listening to @AustinRivers25 at today's #Timberwolves Media Day. Definitely need to hear more from him throughout the season. Here's a sampling. I'll post his entire presser on the KSTP website soon. pic.twitter.com/FNfygcGkm5
— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) September 26, 2022
He was as brutally honest as the cold winter winds can be. But that is a good thing. He is not arriving with a misconception that winters are mild in Minnesota. They’re not. But that also opens the door to honesty as well. Rivers still has a serviceable three-point shot, coming in at 34.2 percent in 2021, as well as a 41.7 percent shot from the floor, and a 72.7 percent shot from the free throw line.
He won’t give you 30+ minutes in a game, but he can rotate in for a solid 20 minutes per clip. He is a headsy calm and collected player who can be counted on when you need him to show up.