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D’Angelo Russell on the trading block this offseason?

hoopshype
·4 min read

The future of another prominent lefty lead guard in the West is much more uncertain after Minnesota’s first-round exit. D’Angelo Russell wound up on the bench at crunch time in the Timberwolves’ season-ending Game 6 defeat at home to Memphis and averaged just 12.0 points per game on 33.3% shooting in his second career playoff series. Numerous rival teams expect the Wolves to try to trade Russell this offseason irrespective of Russell’s close relationship with Minnesota star Karl-Anthony Towns. Russell, 26, has one season left on his contract at $31.4 million.
Source: Marc Stein @ marcstein.substack.com

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

Marc Stein @TheSteinLine
The latest from the NBA’s coaching search grapevine and updates on Jalen Brunson, D’Angelo Russell and the scourge of these playoffs — ugh … injuries — all here in my latest This Week In Basketball column: marcstein.substack.com/p/a-slow-spinn… – 3:41 PM

Dane Moore @DaneMooreNBA
Reflecting on the Wolves exit interviews Saturday morning + a too-early offseason preview with @Britt Robson
– A DLo conversation
– Gupta and Finch’s breadcrumbs of an offseason plan
– KAT’s persona vs. on-court performance
– Potential role tweaks for Ant
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bri… – 6:30 PM

Dane Moore @DaneMooreNBA
Sachin Gupta when asked the question of whether or not Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels can be on the same timeline as Karl-Anthony Towns and D’Angelo Russell:
“I think we’re seeing signs they can… I do believe those timelines can coexist.” – 1:57 PM

Christopher Hine @ChristopherHine
D’Angelo Russell on his contract situation (extension eligible, 1 yr. left):
“I don’t like to speak on that. It kind of comes back to haunt you a lot of the times. There’s nothing more that I can do to showcase my worth or the number that I’m looking for or anything like that.” – 1:14 PM

Jon Krawczynski @JonKrawczynski
D’Angelo Russell wasn’t ready to reflect much on the playoffs or discuss his contract situation. Did ask if he was OK watching from the bench: “No. Not at all.”
Said of course he wanted to be out there. But overall saw the season as a big success. – 1:11 PM

Dane Moore @DaneMooreNBA
D’Angelo Russell made it very clear in his end of season exit interview that he didn’t want to make it a big deal that he didn’t close the game in Game 6. But he did say he was upset about not having the opportunity to be on the floor in the final minutes of the game. – 12:47 PM

Dane Moore @DaneMooreNBA
Ant on the KAT/DLo/Ant Big 3
“We all got 3 different personalities, so it’s kind of good for us because we all 3 different people. I think we get along really well, especially on the court. Our game complements each other so much. I think for years to come it’s going to be scary” – 12:32 PM

Christopher Hine @ChristopherHine
Beverley on D’Angelo Russell: “I feel like he could have ended better. Everyone felt that, he felt that. We need him a lot and, just one of those series. And it’s something he’s gonna learn from.” – 10:37 AM

Dane Moore @DaneMooreNBA
Patrick Beverley said before the season that he gave D’Angelo Russell a set of challenges.
Here’s Beverley today when asked about how Russell answered those challenges this season: pic.twitter.com/CtfgKbVmA9 – 10:33 AM

J. Michael Falgoust @ThisIsJMichael
If anyone is complaining about DLo not being on the court and is blaming coaching for making the correct and sound decision, they probably don’t know what they’re looking at. 🤷🏽‍♂️ – 12:06 AM

Haralabos Voulgaris @haralabob
Dlo still on the bench on an offensive possession. Gonna be a must watch presser. – 11:39 PM

Haralabos Voulgaris @haralabob
Finch is really getting after it – DLO getting the hook in place of JMac. – 11:31 PM

Evan Dunlap @BQRMagic
interesting to see Chris Finch go right back to Jordan McLaughlin after a few more ineffective D’Angelo Russell minutes – 11:28 PM

Dane Moore @DaneMooreNBA
JMac is subbing in… presumably for DLo – 11:25 PM

Kyle Ratke @Kyle_Ratke
DLo back on the court and I feel worse. – 11:18 PM

Monte Poole @MontePooleNBCS
Anthony Edwards looking at KAT and DLo like . . . pic.twitter.com/nyHVltZhfV – 10:07 PM

Dane Moore @DaneMooreNBA
Memphis adjusting to having Dillon Brooks guard Anthony Edwards.
Brooks had been guarding D’Angelo Russell. Now Desmond Bane is on DLo. – 9:20 PM

More on this storyline

One source close to the situation insisted Wednesday night that the Rockets remain steadfast in their refusal to entertain a John Wall-for-Russell Westbrook trade with the Lakers unless L.A. agrees to include its 2027 first-round pick in the trade. -via marcstein.substack.com / February 10, 2022