As the NBA Trade Deadline grows near, many in the state and around the league are expecting the Minnesota Timberwolves to make some moves for at least one player. But who is the best option to trade?
News Talk 830 WCCO’s Henry Lake and Vineeta Sawkar discussed who should and shouldn’t be on the move before the deadline closes this week.
With a slow start to the season, many were critical of Timberwolves point guard D’Angelo Russell, saying it was time for the team to move on. However, since December, Russell has put the league on notice.
From behind the three-point line, Russell is having a career year, shooting nearly 39% while averaging 18.1 points per game and 6.2 assists.
With the addition of Rudy Gobert and the early injuries to Karl-Anthony Towns, many questioned how the team would flow and play together after a rough patch in November. However, as of late the team has been led by the up-and-coming — and should be All-Star — Anthony Edwards.
While they didn’t play the best together at the start, Edwards and Russell have been lights-out while on the floor together, especially when it matters.
Now the Wolves have to decide what to do with Russell, who they traded for just four trade deadlines ago, as his contract expires at the end of this season. However, Lake has made his mind up.
“I would not move D’Angelo Russell. I just wouldn’t. I think that if you move D’Angelo Russell, then you are more likely than not looking at not making the playoffs,” Lake said. “I’m all about making moves that would better the team, but I don’t know who they would trade D’Angelo Russell for.”
When it comes to who could be a trade asset, Lake says he thinks the beloved “Naz Reid.” could be on the table, even though he is a favorite among fans and teammates.
“I’d love to see Naz Reid stay here in Minnesota for a while. But, I’m not anti them moving Naz. The reason why I say that is only because I have a feeling Naz is looking to get paid in another market,” Lake said, noting that he is an unrestricted free agent at the end of this year.
While Lake says the team attempted to sign him to a deal earlier in the season, Reid declined offers wanting to play for a contract, and now Lake thinks the big man is going to move on this offseason for more lucrative markets and deals.
“If he’s betting on himself and he’s going to leave it open to it being a bidding war, and the Wolves don’t want to do that, then I have no issue with them going out and trying to make the best deal possible,” Lake said.
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