NBA Trade Rumors: Timberwolves Chances Of Trading Andrew Wiggins For D'Angelo Russell Not Looking Good

KEY POINTS

T-Wolves continue to explore interest in Russell
Wiggins may not appeal to Dubs
Deal for DLO may only happen in the summer

With the NBA trade deadline days away, teams like the Minnesota Timberwolves may be busy trying to unload some players. On their end, one player that has disappointed is Andrew Wiggins. The top pick has not offered significant help but his hefty contract makes him hard to move.

Regardless, expect the Timberwolves to keep on trying. One player on their radar is D'Angelo Russell of the Golden State Warriors. There is a chance that Minnesota could pull off a trade but a one-for-one swap is unlikely to get it done. The Athletic pointed out that both have similar contracts but the efficiency comparison is far off.

For the Dubs, it has repeatedly stated that they do not have immediate plans to send away the second overall pick of the 2015 NBA Draft. Russell has been filling in with Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry out of action. However, the good news for the T-Wolves is that things may change in the summer. At any rate, the best time to talk trade with the Dubs could be in the offseason.

This season, Wiggins averaged 22.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists. He is shooting just under 45-percent and 33.3-percent from beyond the arc. But consistency has been a question. In a previous post, head coach Ryan Saunders was seen at one point giving the former top pick and earful for a sub-par performance. It lit a fire in Wiggins but that cannot happen every time.

As far as Russell is concerned, he could be dispensable once the Splash Brothers are 100-percent back to form. The current NBA season is good as gone for the Dubs with a woeful 10-39 win-loss record over at the Western Conference.

It is no secret that the Timberwolves desire Russell. The 23-year-old guard has suited up in 31 games for the Dubs, averaging 24.0 points, 3.6 rebounds and 6.3 assists per Basketball-Reference.com. Those are jumps from his career-high numbers. Minnesota stands to gain if they are able to acquire the 6-foot-4 guard.

The T-Wolves could sweeten the pot by adding some picks or players. But a straight trade holds low chances. That is unless the Warriors opt to clean house and take a chance on someone like Wiggins.