Warriors unlikely to deal Russell to T’wolves
WASHINGTON — Trade conversations between the Warriors and Timberwolves have reached an impasse, according to league sources.
Minnesota has long been interested in acquiring point guard D’Angelo Russell, and it recently offered Golden State a package for Russell that included shooting guard Andrew Wiggins. But to seriously consider dealing Russell to the Timberwolves, Golden State would need a compelling haul of draft picks, per league sources.
Minnesota has been unwilling to include its 2020 firstround pick, which, given that the Timberwolves own the NBA’s fifthworst record at 1533, will likely land in the top 10. To contemplate shipping Russell to Minnesota, the Warriors would need that pick included. And if the Timberwolves did add it to their package, Golden State still wouldn’t necessarily be sold on trading Russell before the deadline.
Though Wiggins has eased concerns this season about his ability to play in a team concept, the Warriors aren’t convinced that he could be a key cog on a title contender. Golden State also isn’t high on the pool of prospects expected to be available early in June’s draft, and it worries that top10 picks this year won’t have the trade value they normally bring.
With the trade deadline three days away, the Warriors are willing to listen to any offers for Russell, whom they acquired in a complex sign-and-trade with Brooklyn last July. Several teams other than Minnesota, including the Knicks, have gauged Golden State’s interest in trading Russell.
But if no offers wow it, Golden State would have little problem finishing the season with Russell and seeing what the market is for him this summer.
Stephen Curry is expected to return from left hand surgery sometime next month, and the Warriors would like to have a larger sample size of a CurryRussell backcourt. Though the two struggled to complement each other in four games together before Curry was hurt, Russell has looked more comfortable in recent weeks playing off the ball.
It’s still possible that, if Russell can prove he can thrive largely as a spotup shooter alongside Curry, the Warriors will enter next season with a starting lineup that includes Curry, Russell, Thompson and Draymond Green. But if nothing else, Golden State could benefit by waiting to see what other teams are willing to offer for Russell — a 23yearold former AllStar who is averaging 23.8 points and 6.3 assists per game.
The Timberwolves tried to sign Russell in free agency last summer, and they could still want him in coming months. In addition to being an ideal fit for Minnesota’s offensive system, Russell would buoy the franchise’s chances of keeping center KarlAnthony Towns — a close friend of his — around longterm.
At this point, the Warriors are more likely to make smaller moves to avoid the repeater tax — penalties for teams that have been above the luxury tax for the season in question, plus three of the previous four years — than to trade Russell. But with few other big names being mentioned leaguewide ahead of the deadline, speculation will continue to buzz around Russell.
With the trade deadline three days away, the Warriors are willing to listen to any offers for Russell.