Does D’Angelo Russell have a future with Wolves? This is a question that will weigh more and more as the NBA Trade Deadline on February 9 approaches. Currently in the rumors due in particular to his contractual situation, DLo could particularly interest the Suns.
In his final year of contract for a salary of $31 million, D’Angelo Russell is destined to become a free agent next summer. And who says future free agent often says transfer rumors before the deadline, especially when there is little progress on a possible extension as is currently the case with the leader of Minnesota if one believes Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports.
According to this same source, several franchises are thus to be monitored regarding the D’Angelo Russell file. The Heat that we already talked about right here, potentially the Clippers, but also the Suns de Phoenix.
It’s no secret that the Arizona franchise is in big trouble right now. The Cactus have lost seven of their last eight games and are now seventh in the Western Conference. Among the main causes of this free fall, absences of course, since Phoenix is evolving at the moment without Jae Crowder (who hasn’t played all season and who will surely be transferred), without Cam Johnson (soon to be back but absent since the beginning of November), without Devin Booker obviously (injured at groin), without Landry Shamet as well, and finally without point guards Chris Paul and Cam Payne. Suffice to say that there are holes everywhere in the Suns, especially at the lead. No wonder then that Phoenix is looking to strengthen position 1, especially since CP3 – 37 years old – is showing real signs of decline this season.
D’Angelo Russell is no stranger to trade chatter.
“You either take advantage of me and my ability, or f*** up the opportunity with me,” Russell told @YahooSports. “It’s as simple as that.”https://t.co/CzEjq3VpKQ
— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) January 13, 2023
D’Angelo Russell would clearly fill a gap given the current situation of the Cactus. Admittedly, DLo no longer plays at an All-Star level today, but his offensive production – and we insist on the term “offensive” – remains solid (17.2 points, 6.4 assists, 46% shooting including 36 % to 3-point). In addition, as insider Jake Fischer recalls, Russell is very good friends with a certain Devin Booker, the latter having notably tried to bring D’Angelo to Arizona three years ago when DLo was a free agent.
Finally, we think the time may have come for Wolves to end their cohabitation with Russell to give even more responsibility to full-back Anthony Edwards, who has recently shown some nice little things in the playmaker costume. In any case, DLo no longer seems to represent a pillar of the Wolves project, he who we remember had been benched in the money time during the last Playoffs. He gives more the impression of being a bargaining chip for a Minnesota team which is disappointing this year (20 wins – 22 losses, 10th in the West) and which undoubtedly needs to adjust. As a symbol, the leader stopped following his team on Insta about ten days ago…
For all of these reasons, the D’Angelo Russell rumor to the Suns seems pretty believable. It remains to be seen whether it can really materialize over the next four weeks…
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Source texte : Yahoo Sports
