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D'Angelo Russell Trade Rumors: Heat Have 'Registered Interest' in T-Wolves Guard
January 13, 2023
As the Minnesota Timberwolves keep struggling to pull their way out of the play-in tournament mix, D'Angelo Russell's future with the organization is uncertain with the trade deadline looming.
Per Yahoo Sports' Jake Fischer, the Miami Heat are a team that has "registered interest" in Russell, but it is "unlikely" a direct deal involving Kyle Lowry happens.
Russell, to his credit, seems to understand the business realities of playing in the NBA for a team that might need to pivot during the season.
"You either take advantage of me and my ability, or f--k up the opportunity with me," Russell told Fischer. "It's as simple as that."
There have been rumblings that the Timberwolves are at least considering a trade involving the 26-year-old since December.
Darren Wolfson of SKOR North reported last month the Heat were showing "just a little bit" of interest in Russell.
Lowry seems to be the biggest name on the Heat roster who could be moved before the Feb. 9 trade deadline. The six-time All-Star is struggling offensively this season. He is averaging 13.1 points on 39.8 percent shooting and 5.6 assists per game in 36 starts.
Per Basketball-Reference.com, Lowry's 1.5 defensive win shares rank third on the Heat, behind Bam Adebayo (2.1) and Jimmy Butler (1.6).
Lowry is in the second season of a three-year, $85 million contract he signed in July 2021. He is owed $28.3 million total this season and $29.7 million in 2023-24.
Miami has been playing better of late with 11 wins in its last 16 games after a 12-15 start. They currently sit in eighth place in the Eastern Conference standings.
Russell is having one of his most efficient scoring seasons. He's averaging 17.2 points on 45.9 percent shooting and a team-high 6.4 assists per game in 39 starts.
The Timberwolves could fetch a strong return for Russell because of his offensive upside. He's also playing on an expiring contract and is owed about $15.3 million for the remainder of this season.
Expectations were high for Minnesota coming into the season after acquiring Rudy Gobert to play with Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns.
Injuries and inconsistent performances have resulted in the T-Wolves sitting in 10th in the Western Conference with a 20-22 record. They are only 1.5 games behind the Los Angeles Clippers for the sixth seed in the playoff standings.