NBA Rumors: T-Wolves Looking To Trade Core Piece

The Minnesota Timberwolves surprised some people with their improvements this season. Riding the Core 3 of Karl Anthony-Towns, Anthony Edwards and D'Angelo Russell, they made the playoffs for just the 2nd time in 18 years. 

But now comes word that one of those core pieces could be on the trade block this summer.

REPORT: “Numberous rival teams” expect the Timberwolves to try to trade D’Angelo Russell this off-season.

(via @TheSteinLine, https://t.co/b0yLg0K7gG) pic.twitter.com/2itf0ne1hk

— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) May 2, 2022

According to NBA Insider Marc Stein, "numerous rival teams expect the Wolves to try to trade Russell this offseason irrespective of Russell’s close relationship with Minnesota star Karl-Anthony Towns. Russell, 26, has one season left on his contract at $31.4 million."

Perhaps some of this can be tied to the fact that Russell didn't come up big when the T-Wolves needed him in the playoffs. Per Stein:

D'Angelo Russell wound up on the bench at crunch time in the Timberwolves' season-ending Game 6 defeat at home to Memphis and averaged just 12.0 points per game on 33.3% shooting in his second career playoff series.

Russell was clearly not happy with his benching. But T-Wolves coach Chris Finch tried to smooth things over afterwards, by taking some of the blame. 

“We still think the fit is great,” Finch said of Russell. “His skill set, his playmaking, all that stuff hasn’t changed. We’ve just got to figure out maybe some different sets or structures that kind of accentuate those things too. I could’ve done a better job of trying to get him into the series a little bit more with some plays for him maybe off the ball.”

With Towns and D-Lo being tight, it will be a tricky situation if the T-Wolves look to deal the point guard. 

Photo Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports