It’s clear that Minnesota Timberwolves aren’t performing as they wanted but it’s not clear what they will do to change that.
The team is the 10th in the West right now with a 20-22 record, despite the fact that they had one of the biggest trades of the summer when they acquired Rudy Gobert.
Gobert is obviously here to stay for a while, as is Karl-Anthony Towns and probably Anthony Edwards too.
That leaves D’Angelo Russell at the center of trade rumors.
D-Lo reacts to being the center of recent trade buzz 👀
(via @JakeLFischer) pic.twitter.com/92Ct8ttWRW
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 13, 2023
Russell is well aware that there is talk of him leaving the Timberwolves and he was quite honest with his reaction to the idea of the team trading him.
“You either take advantage of me and my ability, or f— up the opportunity with me,” Russell said.
The young guard knows that he has talent and he also knows he could help any number of teams.
But how much longer will the Timberwolves believe in Russell?
Russell’s output has dipped just a bit this season and he is producing 17.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 6.4 assists with an impressive 45.9% field goal percentage.
He has talent but he also had trade value too, which might be the biggest reason the Timberwolves could send him away.
It remains to be seen where he would land, although multiple reports have said the Miami Heat would be interested in signing him.
Perhaps Russell leaving the team would be for the best, as it’s become clear that things aren’t working well with the Timberwolves and the player is starting to grow tired of being undervalued.
Russell desires to play for a team that wants him and it doesn’t seem like the Timberwolves are that committed.
