Miami Heat Receive: G D’Angelo Russell

Minnesota Timberwolves: G Goran Dragic, F Andre Iguodala, MIA 2026 1st Round Pick (unprotected)

If the Heat are going to trade for Russell, the easiest way to get salary space is to trade both Goran Dragic and Andre Iguodala since their contracts for next season add up to about $34M in cap space. Not to mention, they are going to be in the final year of their contracts anyways and set to become free agents at the conclusion of the 2021-22 season. 

Again, the only way the Miami Heat would go after a player like D’Angelo Russell would be if Victor Oladipo surprisingly did not sign a long-term extension with them and/or they were unable to bring back guys like Duncan Robinson and and Kendrick Nunn. 

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If they are basically bringing back everybody from their current roster, then there is really no room for Russell on this team and he would not really fit in, but if the worst becomes reality for the Heat, going out and trading for a former All-Star guard in D’Angelo Russell could make a ton of sense. 

For the Minnesota Timberwolves, they need answers and they need them quickly. This season is going to be yet another lost cause and with a lot of high-level talents on their roster in Russell, Towns, Edwards, Beasley and McDaniels, they definitely have the potential to grow into a strong team, but they will need to make the right moves management wise. 

Figuring out which players to keep long-term and which ones to get value on now via a trade will be essential this offseason, which is why we could see the Timberwolves make some big, surprising moves ahead of the NBA Draft or before free agency begins. 

Now, let’s take a look at if this trade does fully make sense for both the Miami Heat and Minnesota Timberwolves and if trading D’Angelo Russell could be a very real possibility for the T-Wolves.