NBA: 5 unlikely trades that should happen before the deadline
By Nate Friesen
4. Minnesota also goes all-in
D’Angelo Russell to the Timberwolves has been rumored since this past summer when he was set to become a free agent. That obviously never happened as the Warriors acquired Russell in a sign-and-trade that sent Durant to the Nets. However, it has also been rumored that the Warriors only signed Russell in order to trade him, which may or may not be true.
This trade, if it were to happen, would make the Timberwolves a lock to make the playoffs. A big three centered around Karl-Anthony Towns, Andrew Wiggins and D’Angelo Russell would be a force for years to come.
Russell would fit nicely alongside Towns and Wiggins. He can handle the ball when Wiggins is off the court and he can play off the ball when Wiggins his on. In addition to that, the pick-and-roll/pop combination of Russell and Towns would be one of the scariest in the league.
This trade would solidify Minnesota as a playoff lock and a potential contender in the Western Conference, if not this year, then certainly in the future.
From the Warriors side of things, this trade sends their team fully into tank-mode. This team could be in a really great position to where they could have a top-five pick in the 2020 draft.
That pick alongside Jarrett Culver, Josh Okogie and Minnesota’s 2020 first-round pick could be an amazing trade package that the Warriors could use to help bolster their team in the 2020-21 season when Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson are healthy again.
There is really no hope for the 2019-20 Warriors other than to tank and this trade would really help them embrace that.