It's no secret the Minnesota Timberwolves, with the public approval of Karl-Anthony Towns, have hopes of bringing in D'Angelo Russell this summer. And since even before 2018-19 tipped off, prior to the worst season of his disappointing career, Andrew Wiggins has undoubtedly been available via trade for any team comfortable taking on his onerous long-term contract. It should come as no surprise whatsoever, then, that Minnesota is reportedly trying the basketball equivalent of killing two birds with one stone.
According to Darren Wolfson of KSTP and SKOR North, the Timberwolves have tried to engage the Nets in a sign-and-trade of Wiggins for Russell.
Per @DWolfsonKSTP, the Wolves tried to engage the Brooklyn Nets on a sign-and-trade of D'Angelo Russell for Andrew Wiggins. pic.twitter.com/pYf4chLSTV
— SKOR North (@SKORNorth) June 26, 2019
Obviously, there's no indication here that Minnesota has made any traction whatsoever. Wiggins' contract, with a guaranteed four years and over $122 million remaining before it expires after 2022-23, is one of the worst in the NBA. Unless he takes major strides as a three-point shooter and team defender this season, there's a chance he continues his career coming off the bench for the Timberwolves.
Just as importantly, even if Brooklyn opts against retaining Russell, a major possibility considering mutual interest with Kyrie Irving, the last thing Sean Marks wants to do is limit his team's financial flexibility going forward. If the Nets miss out on bringing in another superstar free agent along with Irving or even simply re-sign Russell, they'll still chase big fish in free agency both next summer and beyond, ensuring Wiggins' salary would need to be re-routed to a third team in any potential sign-and-trade.
Don't hold out hope, Wolves fans. Unless there's a team who values Wiggins far more highly than the rest of the league, it's extremely unlikely anything comes of Minnesota's efforts to involve him in their prospective acquisition of Russell.
Follow Us
Subscribe