The Minnesota Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors swapped D’Angelo Russell and Andrew Wiggins. Here’s their outlook and grades.
The Minnesota Timberwolves finally get the point guard they’ve been pursuing since the summer — D’Angelo Russell.
Dunking with Wolves
Minnesota will send Andrew Wiggins, a 2021 first-round pick (top-3 protected) and a 2021 second-round pick. The Golden State Warriors will send Omari Spellman and Jacob Evans, as reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Losers off 13 straight, having dropped off after a 10-8 start to fall to 15-35, it was clear that something needed to change in the Twin Cities. Early Wednesday morning the Timberwolves traded Robert Covington and four other players in a four-team blockbuster that landed them Malik Beasley.
That blockbuster trade also landed Minnesota Juancho Hernangomez, Evan Turner and Jarred Vanderbilt. It also received Brooklyn’s 2020 first-round pick.
Russell, who turns 24 in February, fits along the timeline with franchise star Karl-Anthony Towns, who is 24. The 23-year-old Beasley is due for a new contract in restricted free agency this summer.
Meanwhile, the Warriors, who have the league’s worst record, will pair a healthy Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson with Wiggins and Draymond Green next season. It’ll give their aging core an extra wing that they hope will be sparked by a fresh start in a winning culture.
For a trade deadline that has been relatively quiet, the Timberwolves have been a part of the two major trades and completely overhauled their roster. They’ve developed a young core that is on the same timeline.
The deal will give Golden State a familiar look to its former self.