The 2021-22 NBA season has not been a kind one to the Minnesota Timberwolves. After looking like they turned a corner at the start, going 3-1 out of the gate, the wheels have seemingly fallen off — going 1-7 in the team’s previous eight outings.
Minnesota has now lost six in a row, falling back down the standings. It is still too early to write off anyone, but it looks like it could be another long season for the Timberwolves, who had a strong finish to the 2020-21 season going 11-11 over their last 22 games.
If the losing continues, a change will eventually have to be made. The team has a new general manager in place that could look to make some trades to shake up the roster if they continue losing at this rate.
One player that could be on the move is D’Angelo Russell. Russell’s acquisition appeased star center Karl-Anthony Towns, but he is certainly someone the Timberwolves would move in the right deal. In Ben Simmons’s negotiations, he was one of the players mentioned in a possible return package to the Philadelphia 76ers.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: This Clippers-Timberwolves Trade Is Focused On D’Angelo Russell
Russell is struggling mightily in the early going this season, making only 38.8 percent of his shots from the field and 33.8 percent of his 3-point attempts. Despite those struggles, Russell has been a positive player for the Timberwolves this season.
He has a net rating of 5.4 thanks in large part to an excellent showing defensively. He has a defensive rating of 99.1 and it shoots up to a team-worst 112.9 when he is on the bench. If he has made strides of that length defensively, his struggles shooting the ball are a lot easier to stomach.
But, if Russell were to be moved, could the San Antonio Spurs be a landing spot? Here is a hypothetical deal that would land him in San Antonio.
