NBA Trade Rumors: The Miami Heat may be interested in D’Angelo Russell.
As the Miami Heat begin to look better and better (though consistency is still a very big issue), there’s still a great chance that this team is going to look to drastically improve their roster at the NBA Trade Deadline.
Whether or not there’s a feasible avenue to do so remains to be seen, but there’s no doubt in my mind that the Heat front office is going to attempt to do something significant at the trade deadline.
And according to a recent report, one name that the Heat has shown some interest in is Minnesota Timberwolves guard D’Angelo Russell.
Russell is in the final year of his contract with the Wolves and there’s no guarantee that he will be re-signed during the offseason. The emergence of Anthony Edwards and the addition of Rudy Gobert could make some of that extension possibility blurry.
Add in that Russell’s production has decreased in each of the last three seasons and it’s easy to see why Minnesota may explore trading him at the NBA Trade Deadline this season.
What would a potential offer look like?
It would be difficult to envision what a possible deal would look like, but at least by the numbers, there is a couple of ways this could get done. One option would be a Kyle Lowry for Russell swap. It doesn’t really make sense logistically but it works financially.
I’m not sure the Wolves would be interested in Lowry but could probably use his veteran experience and leadership. Still, that seems like a long shot. Another potential trade would involve Duncan Robinson, Victor Oladipo, and perhaps a future first-round pick. Though, I’m not sure if Miami would want to give up a valuable pick for an expiring contract.
But if they want to get rid of Robinson’s contract, that’s likely what it would take. Especially to get Russell back. Then again, why would Miami make that deal without moving Lowry at the same time? Russell and Lowry together don’t really make sense together.
While there are certain avenues to a deal getting done, you’d have to believe that if the Heat is truly interested in Russell, there would have to be a third team involved.
If nothing else, this is something to keep tabs on. You can bet that the Heat is going to search all avenues to improve their roster. I’m just not sure if Russell is the right target, for several reasons.