More teams in pursuit of D’Angelo Russell?

The Minnesota Timberwolves may or may not pull the trigger on a trade before the NBA Trade Deadline, but you cannot fault Minnesota Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations Tim Connelly for not kicking over every stone. The Timberwolves have been very active in NBA Trade Rumors this season and for good reason.

This was a roster that was conceived to be good, but the proof was not available until after the season started. Then, the Timberwolves lost Karl-Anthony Towns and Jordan McLaughlin rather quickly to injuries, had to repurpose forward Kyle Anderson to handle some of the field general duties, and then had to rework the lineups to manage the dynamic available players who could suit up due to other minor injuries.

Two independent sources reported Timberwolves trade rumors of the team engaged in a three-team trade negotiation involving the LA Lakers, the Utah Jazz, and the Minnesota Timberwolves that essentially moves Russell Westbrook to the Jazz, D’Angelo Russell to the Lakers, and Mike Conley to the Timberwolves. This is all happening quickly, fostered by the halftime dispute between Westbrook and the LA Lakers coach at halftime.

That deal is rapidly gaining momentum:

“For the Lakers this would be turning the page on Russell Westbrook … there’s definitely a deal here that has a level of momentum.”

NBA Insider @ShamsCharania reports on the potential three-team trade between the Lakers, Jazz and Timberwolves. pic.twitter.com/lRc8IqxcN2

— The Rally (@TheRally) February 8, 2023

The problem now is, how much is D’Angelo Russell worth?  Right now, that is what the Minnesota Timberwolves are trying to determine.  In fact, per NBA Insider Adrian Wojnarowski, it could be the Minnesota Timberwolves are the hold-up to getting a three-team deal finalized. Apparently, the Timberwolves have more than one iron in the fire in terms of trading DLo. And that could only mean good things for the Timbewolves.

ESPN Sources: Three-team trade is largely hinging on how Minnesota values D’Angelo Russell in potential deal and their return of draft assets. Lakers and Jazz have significant deal structure in place, but Minnesota has been engaged elsewhere on Russell too.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 8, 2023

Multiple teams interested in landing D’Angelo Russell should benefit the leverage for the Timberwolves, as the Wolves now have two or more teams to play off one another. Now it comes down to which team (or teams) want DLo more, and are willing…