In his first trip to the playoffs with the Minnesota Timberwolves, things did not go according to plan for D’Angelo Russell, which has put his name in some hypothetical NBA trades and rumors.
The former All-Star guard struggled to find his footing throughout the entire six-game series against the Memphis Grizzlies, having put up some brutal numbers. Across six games, Russell averaged a mere 12 points per contest while shooting 33.3 percent from the floor.
He struggled to help as the Timberwolves ultimately lost what was a very winnable matchup from start to finish. With the Timberwolves’ season now over, Russell’s name has started to be mentioned in the rumor mill as it pertains to potential trade targets to keep an eye on this offseason.
NBA Trades: D’Angelo Russell has been mentioned as a potential player to watch in trade discussions this offseason
According to veteran NBA insider Marc Stein (subscription required), rival executives believe that the Timberwolves will explore trade scenarios involving Russell this offseason.
Despite Russell’s downright brutal showing in the postseason, several teams will certainly express interest if Russell is made available in trade talks, given his stature as a player. After all, this is a former All-Star, and at 26 years old, Russell is still a young player that could be a quality piece for a handful of teams looking to bulk up their backcourt.
Another reason why Russell could be viewed as a desirable piece in trade talks is due to the status of his current contract. Next season will be the final year of his deal, and although Russell is set to make a whopping $31.4 million, the fact that the contract is expiring could make it more digestible for any team looking to make a big move through trade.
With all that being said, here are three teams that should explore trading for D’Angelo Russell if he is made available by the Minnesota Timberwolves this offseason.