NBA Rumors: Minnesota Timberwolves Pulling The Plug On Towns-Russell Duo

With yet another NBA campaign going down the drain, the Minnesota Timberwolves will go back to the drawing board.

But the question now is, how deep will they go? Is it time to explore other approaches which may not be centered on Karl-Anthony Towns and D’Angelo Russell?

It appears this is a possibility--with reports that the T-Wolves could be headed towards major changes in the offseason.

An unnamed source tells Evan Massey of Hoop Analysis that both Towns and Russell are on the block in the offseason.

For now, this should be taken with a grain of salt even though it may make sense. Towns and Russell have not been readily available for the Timberwolves who are at the bottom of the Western Conference standings with a woeful 11-36 win-loss record. Minnesota’s card is the worst in the NBA right now.

Russel has played in only 20 games this season, averaging 19.3 points, 5.1 assists, and 2.6 rebounds. The All-Star guard has been out of action with a sore knee.

The 25-year-old underwent surgery, and it appears he is nowhere close to returning. The latest is that he can play 5-on-5, but that is about it.

Given that their campaign has sputtered, seeing the second overall pick of the 2015 NBA Draft return this season does not look promising.

As for Towns, he has played in only 27 games averaging 24.1 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 4.3 assists. He has had a rocky season marred by the death of his mother, Jackie Cruz-Towns due to complications caused by COVID-19.

Towns’ mother died on Apr. 13, 2020. Right now, the two-time NBA All-Star is not at 100% as he deals with a dislocated left wrist. He suffered it following a hard fall against the Utah Jazz last Dec. 26.

Should Russell or Towns be made available, several teams are likely to be in pursuit.

Towns is in the second year of his five-year contract and will make $29.4 million this season. He would be owed roughly $100 million more, a heavy price for teams who may acquire his services.

As for Russell, he is also in the second year of a four-year deal worth $117 million. He is making $28 million this season and will be owed $61 million more in the next two seasons.

So while the duo may be placed on the block, it would take much to pry them away for the T-Wolves. A lot of teams are pressed financially, so it will be interesting which among the other NBA clubs will try their luck on either All-Star.