New partner emerges for potential D’Angelo Russell trade

Since the Minnesota Timberwolves’ season started, trade talks have become more and more widespread, and no player has been mentioned in trade rumors more than D’Angelo Russell. After his disappointing performance in the Wolves’ 2022 playoff series, questions about his long-term fit with this team became louder.

For much of the 2022-23 season, Russell had not done much to quiet those conversations. His up-and-down play only fueled rumors that the Timberwolves would try to move his expiring contract before the season was over.

D-Lo’s hot start to the month of December slowed those talks for a brief bit before his injury. However, a new potential suitor for a D’Angelo Russell trade was recently revealed: the Miami Heat.

The Miami Heat have interest in acquiring D’Angelo Russell from the Timberwolves

Darren Wolfson of SKOR North reported that the Miami Heat are showing “some trade interest” in Russell. There were no indications of formal talks on a deal between the two teams, but there is at least some surface level curiosity on Miami’s end.

This news should raise the eyebrows of Timberwolves fans everywhere. Back before the season started, reports came out that Minnesota was nowhere close to offering D’Angelo Russell a contract extension, already setting the expectation that he may be in his final days in a Timberwolves uniform.

In theory, one of the only scenarios in which the Timberwolves would decide to keep Russell around was if he put up a monster year in the 2022-23 season, proving he can be the team’s franchise point guard in their pursuit of a championship. So far, that has not happened, and the Wolves’ struggles as a team have made it even harder for them to envision Russell as their guy going forward.

As more teams like the Heat come forward with interest, the possibility of D’Angelo Russell moving on from the Timberwolves seems to be closer and closer to a reality. If Minnesota did indeed deal Russell in a trade before the deadline, it would allow them to offload his massive contract.

D-Lo’s contract currently carries a $31M salary cap hit. Being able to move that contract in a trade would allow them to fill the extra salary cap room with other new pieces. It would also give them the chance to potentially cash in on at least one first-round pick, something they are in dire need of right now.

Timberwolves fans should keep their eyes and ears open as more teams like the Heat inevitably begin to inquire about D’Angelo Russell.