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NBA Rumors: Players most likely to be traded this offseason

By Corey Rausch

TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 13: Pascal Siakam #43 of the Toronto Raptors is praised by Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards after a career high 44 points following an NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on February 13, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 13: Pascal Siakam #43 of the Toronto Raptors is praised by Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards after a career high 44 points following an NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on February 13, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /
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NBA (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
NBA (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

D’Angelo Russell

Eventually, something is going to have to give with the Minnesota Timberwolves. It is brutal that D’Angelo Russell and Karl-Anthony Towns have only played five games together Billed as the pillars of this team it would seem essential to see what you have in the pairing before deciding what the next step for the organization is. Considering the steps forward the roster has taken with Chris Finch in charge there is a chance that there will be significant progress when the roster is healthy. So why the trade?

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In a world where the Timberwolves keep their draft pick this season, they will almost certainly be selecting Cade Cunningham or Jalen Suggs. Investing time and resources into the future young backcourt of either of them and the currently ascending rookie Anthony Edwards would be the smartest choice for the Timberwolves going forward.

Towns is young enough to be on the same timeline as these younger players and while Russell is in the same age range paying a max contract and two top-five picks to run the offense is poor asset management at best.

Any sort of trade involving Russell will be dependent on how he looks the rest of this season when he returns. His value has plummeted since the Timberwolves traded for him last season and getting him on the court will be essential to recoup any of the value he has lost.