How This Trade Impacts Minnesota Timberwolves

The Minnesota Timberwolves have been run like a rudderless ship for a long time. But, a trade like this would likely represent a new low for the franchise.

In exchange for Andrew Wiggins and a 2021 first-round pick, they acquired D’Angelo Russell from the Golden State Warriors. That selection landed at No. 7 in the draft, providing the Warriors with a valuable asset. Should Minnesota trade Russell now, getting back not even one first-round draft pick would be quite a letdown.

A trade of this nature would likely mean that Minnesota is looking to tear things down and rebuild from the ground up around Anthony Edwards.

Karl-Anthony Towns would unlikely want to stick around watching the organization trade one of his good friends away. But, none of the pieces they are acquiring fits a long-term outlook outside of the soon-to-be 25-year old Terance Mann.

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Eric Bledsoe and Marcus Morris Sr. are two veterans who can help the young Timberwolves along, but it wouldn’t make too much sense at Russell’s expense. Morris would also add long-term money to their books, as his contract runs for three more seasons.

Mann is a solid piece, given he is a wing player and the Timberwolves lack true small forward options. But he and a 2022 second-round pick shouldn’t be enough to nab Russell from Minnesota.

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Hoping to land a player such as Ben Simmons, a deal like this would certainly take them out of the running as Russell could be used as the centerpiece of a package heading back to Philadelphia.