Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Two days ahead of the trade deadline, the Timberwolves appear desperate for D’Angelo Russell.
Perhaps with an antsy Karl-Anthony Towns to consider in a disastrous 15-34 season, Minnesota is angling to acquire his good friend Russell, who would form a potent pick-and-roll duo and help calm speculation that Towns will want out.
According to ESPN, Minnesota is working on a potential four-team deal that would include Houston and Atlanta and send Russell to the Wolves. The Chronicle has reported the Warriors are unlikely to deal Russell before Thursday’s deadline, and Golden State would prefer to see how Russell and a returning Stephen Curry mesh and then have all offseason to decide the roster makeup for next season. But the Timberwolves don’t want to wait.
In a potential four-way deal, according to the ESPN report, Houston would covet Robert Covington and Atlanta would want Clint Capela. Minnesota could wind up with a pair a of first-round picks that could be shuttled to Golden State as part of a bigger side deal. There are a lot of moving pieces, and it still seems likeliest that Russell is a Warrior on Friday.
It also seems likely that if Russell goes anywhere, it won’t be to the Knicks. Team president Steve Mills, who reportedly was trying to land Russell as recently as Monday, was fired Tuesday. The Knicks’ rebuild will be going a different direction.