Sources: Wolves talking deals to land Russell
D’Angelo Russell speaks with the media about the familiarity of hearing his name in trade rumors. (0:37)
The Timberwolves are orchestrating multiteam trade discussions with Houston and Atlanta in hopes of ultimately turning discussions into a four-way deal that brings Golden State guard D’Angelo Russell to Minnesota, league sources told ESPN.
The Timberwolves, Rockets and Hawks have the assets to fulfill some of each team’s goals: forward Robert Covington to Houston, center Clint Capela to the Hawks and potentially two first-round picks and an expiring contract to Minnesota, league sources said.
For Minnesota, those potential draft assets could be useful in talks with Golden State on a Russell trade or elsewhere in deals at the trade deadline or in the offseason.
The Timberwolves have been engaged in talks with Golden State in recent weeks about a package that includes Russell, league sources said.
A gulf has remained between the Warriors and Timberwolves on a possible agreement.
Bobby Marks goes to the NBA trade machine to see what the Timberwolves need to part with to land D’Angelo Russell from the Warriors.
Golden State has an interest in shedding salary in a potential Russell trade, and Minnesota could need to give the Warriors flexibility on which year or years they’d prefer draft picks, league sources said.
Golden State is already headed toward a high lottery pick in the 2020 NBA draft, which isn’t considered strong. Minnesota’s Andrew Wiggins would have to be included in almost any Russell trade package.