Timberwolves “Determined” to Land D’Angelo Russell as They Orchestrate Four-Team Deal

The Minnesota Timberwolves remain “determined” to land D’Angelo Russell prior to the NBA trade deadline, a source tells Heavy.com.

The team has sent scouts to several Warriors away games, carefully evaluating Russell’s game and the franchise believes more than ever in the Karl-Anthony Towns-Russell pairing.

The Wolves are reportedly orchestrating a multiteam trade with the Rockets and Hawks, as Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.com reports. Components of the deal include Clint Capela going to the Hawks and Robert Covington heading to the Rockets.

Andrew Wiggins Involved in Trade Talks

Andrew Wiggins has been involved in trade talks, a source tells Heavy.com.

Wiggins will make $27.5M this season and his salary in the ensuing years are as followed:

2020-21: $29.5M

2021-22: $31.6M

2022-23: $33.6M

While Wiggins’ contract may scare off potential suitors, his play this season has no doubt improved. In 41 games for Minnesota this season, the wing has scored 22.4 points per game. He’s shooting a career-high 6.5 three-pointers per game, which is something that has helped him evolve as a player.

It’s not clear which team would be taking Wiggins in the presumed multi-team trade. In Atlanta, he would block playing time for the team’s young wing rotation. In Houston, he would be an awkward fit next to James Harden and Russell Westbrook. It seems likely that his inclusion is what Minnesota has a fourth team involved.

Evan Turner Likely Involved Too

CNBC reports that Evan Turner is also involved in the talks. Turner came to the Hawks via a deal with the Blazers over the summer. The fit in Atlanta hasn’t really worked out as well as the team had hoped, as Turner failed to capture the backup point guard role. Atlanta traded for Jeff Teague, from Minnesota, to fill that role.

Turner began his career with the Philadelphia 76ers, being drafted with the No. 2 overall pick. The Chicago-native played 279 games for Philadelphia before the team dealt him to the Pacers as The Process had its first NBA Trade Deadline. He didn’t last long in Indiana, playing just 27 games. He signed with the Celtics after the campaign, spending two seasons in Boston before finding himself in Portland.

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