Why the D’Angelo Russel trade makes sense for the Minnesota Timberwolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves traded D’Angelo Russell to the Los Angeles Lakers as a part of a three-team deal. In return, the Wolves are adding Mike Conley, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and three second-round picks.
Russell was having the best season of his career. He’s averaging 17.9 points, 6.2 assists and 3.1 rebounds per game. He’s also shooting 46.5 from the field, 39.1 from 3 and 85.6 percent from the line.
Over the last 15 games, he shot 45.1 percent from 3. That’s elite-level shooting, but he was eventually going to come back down to earth.
The Timberwolves will miss his scoring and shooting, especially since Karl-Anthony Towns remains out with an injury.
Conley’s a veteran point guard who’s played 1,001 regular season games and 73 playoff games. He knows how to manage the clock and control basketball games. That right there holds a lot of value for a young and inexperienced team that makes a lot of mistakes.
This season, Conley ranks in the 65th percentile in on/off numbers (+2.3). Russell ranks in the 24th percentile at -5.1. Despite how great he’s shot the ball, the Timberwolves were losing the minutes he was on the floor.
Conley’s played a lot of minutes with Rudy Gobert and had a lot of success.
Conley and Gobert connected on a lot of pick and rolls during their time together in Utah. That duo was tough for any defense to stop, and the Timberwolves hope they can replicate some of that.
“The two of them never appeared to get on the same page on offense this season, with Russell throwing just 13 alley-oops to him in 54 games. Conley, meanwhile, completed 25, 39, 51 lobs to Gobert during their three seasons in Utah.”
Jon Krawczynski | The Athletic
Krawczynski reported that Russell didn’t like Gobert and was reluctant to work with him. That makes more sense because there were times Russell didn’t pass to an open Gobert.
Conley can now optimize Gobert and get him comfortable with the offense. Offensively, Conley isn’t looking to get shots up and is a pass-first point guard. He’s averaging 7.7 assists per game, which is a career-high.
When Towns returns from injury, there won’t be so many mouths the feed. Anthony Edwards and Towns can control things offensively, and Conley can do the small things like move the ball around and get Gobert involved.
Alexander-Walker isn’t a throw-in either. He’s a young guard on a rookie deal and will be a restricted free agent at the end of the year. If he gives you something that entices you, then you can re-sign/match any offer this offseason.
Fun Fact: Alexander-Walker’s cousin is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
This season in 36 games, NAW is averaging 6.3 points, 2.1 assists and 1.6 rebounds. He’s also shooting 48.8 percent from the field, 40.2 from 3 and 69.2 from the line. The former first-round pick has improved defensively, which is even more intriguing considering he’s 6-foot-6.
When NAW was in New Orleans, he was playing the best basketball of his career. In three seasons, he was averaging 9.9 points, 2.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists. There’s a lot of untapped potential Minnesota can unlock here.
The Timberwolves are also gaining three second-round picks in this trade. Those can be moved in future deals, or Connelly can find hidden gems late in the draft like he’s done so often in Denver.
We saw what second-round picks get you on the trade market – look at how many were sent out on Thursday.
Overall, the Timberwolves improved their team at the deadline. They added a player who can get Gobert the ball and allow Edwards and KAT to cook on offense. They’re also getting rid of a toxic locker room presence, and that should turn things around in a positive direction.
