NBA Rumors: Minnesota Timberwolves not keen to extend former LA Lakers star
The Minnesota Timberwolves were eliminated in the first round of the 2022 playoffs. They were defeated in six games by the Memphis Grizzlies.
Anthony Edwards was undoubtedly the star of the series for Minnesota. He averaged 25.2 ppg and shot 40% from 3-point range. Karl-Anthony Towns also made big contributions, averaging 21.8 points and 10.8 rebounds during the series.
However, one major disappointment for the Timberwolves was the play of their third star. D'Angelo Russell, the second overall pick in the 2015 Draft, averaged only 12.0 points on 33.3% shooting over six games. This was a significant drop from his regular-season averages. He averaged 18.1 points and shot 41% from the field in 65 games last season.
This might be why the Minnesota Timberwolves are not keen on signing Russell to a contract extension. The 26-year-old's current contract expires after this season. If the two sides cannot agree on a new deal, he will be an unrestricted free agent next July. Russell joined the Timberwolves in February 2020 after he was traded from the Golden State Warriors in exchange for Andrew Wiggins.
NBA Insiders Brian Windhorst and Darren Wolfson discussed Russell's contract during a recent episode of 'The Scoop w/ Doogie' podcast. Windhorst said:
“I have not heard any discussion of him getting an extension."
Wolfson chimed in, saying:
“Well, I think (Russell’s) representation has reached out to the Wolves, but it doesn’t seem like it’s being reciprocated.”
Report: Minnesota Timberwolves not showing interest in extending D’Angelo Russell ahnfiredigital.com/nba/minnesota-…
D'Angelo Russell will enter his eighth NBA season as the Minnesota Timberwolves begin their 2022-23 campaign
The Minnesota Timberolves will begin the season with D'Angelo Russell playing point guard. Russell started his career playing with the LA Lakers in his first two seasons. He was traded by the Lakers to the Brooklyn Nets in the summer of 2017.
Russell had one of the best seasons of his career with the Nets. He averaged 21.1 points and 7.0 assists during the 2018-19 season. It earned him his first NBA All-Star selection in 2019. Despite a terrific season, Russell was traded to the Golden State Warriors for Kevin Durant on July 7, 2019.
Russell didn't let the trade impact his play. He put up a career-best 23.1 points and 6.3 assists in 45 games during the 2019-2020 season.
Russell's numbers took a nosedive following that season. He averaged 19.0 points while playing only 42 games for the Timberwolves during the 2020-21 season. The emergence of Anthony Edwards has also made Russell expendible. He went from being the number two option to a distant third in the Timberwolves' pecking order.
The Timberwolves are in a tough spot with D'Angelo Russell. He's a good player who struggles to be effective in the playoffs. For a team with championship aspirations, they have to decide whether he's worth committing to long-term.