Marc Stein of The New York Times is reporting that Nets’ restricted free agent point guard D’Angelo Russell has the Timberwolves at the top of his free-agent wish list. Stein adds that while the Lakers still have undeniable interest in Russell, Minnesota is increasingly confident they can make the necessary salary-cap moves to land the 23-year-old All-Star.
The T-Wolves are expected to meet with Russell in Los Angeles this evening at the beginning of free agency. The meeting will reportedly feature new president of basketball operations Gersson Rosas, head coach Ryan Saunders, and Russell’s good friend, Minnesota big man Karl-Anthony Towns.
The Wolves currently project to be an over-the-cap team, but the Nets have already indicated that they’d be willing to entertain a sign-and-trade arrangement that would enable Russell to reach a destination of his choosing. The most likely salary-matching pieces, however, are Andrew Wiggins and Jeff Teague, both of whom the Nets have no interest in whatsoever. As such, Minnesota would likely need to throw in some other assets to make the deal worthwhile to Brooklyn.
Minnesota could also attempt to trade some combination of Wiggins, Teague, Gorgui Dieng, and Robert Covington to open up cap space, but it’s unclear at this point what teams, if any, are interested in acquiring one or more of those players.
Thank God. I hope he doesn’t come back to the Lakers.
Not every day someone good comes out and says that Minnesota is their #1 choice.
You can thank Towns for that
You can thank Gorgui Dieng for that
1. Trade Teague or Dieng for JR Smith.
2. Unless DLo is willing to take 4-5M less than the max, trade Covington to recoup the picks surrendered in the prior salary dump, or back to the Nets as part of a sign-and-trade.
Wiggins and Teague for Donovan Mitchell lol
They aren’t trading Cov in a salary related move because he doesn’t make enough. If they move Cov it will only be for a because either A. He is attached to Wiggins or B. they get a great return like an equal or better value (which seems point) or a 1st round draft pick(s) he’s a great defender and solid on offense, something the Timberwolves are looking for as is so they wont want to trade away someone who has the qualities they already need.
If they can find a partner to take Dieng or Teaque they will have to at least include a #1 ..
Wiggins and top 10 protected lottery pick sounds fair to me.
If you’re a wolves fan lol
Can Teague fit into the Bulls cap space?
If they include a pick it would give Bulls the vet guard they want and clear space for MN.
Please let this happen. I’ll let that Russian billionaire that owns the nets clap my cheeks if he’ll sign & trade us Russell.
He should go to the bulls or the pacers that would be tight
I know all of the Minnesota fans would go bonkers over this but why would he want to go to a team that has shown no signs of improvement yet in free agency and was 36-46 this past season. Just does not make much sense.
Not until Glen Taylor sells the Wolves and they get a coach that has an upside will they go anywhere. KAT is great…but seriously…that’s all there is here. Russel will not make any difference on this team except for maybe a 1 and done playoff appearance. This ENTIRE franchise needs to be blown up and start from square one. It’s been like this since the year KG was traded. It’s not changing anytime soon…guaranteed…mic drop.