NBA Trade Rumors: Timberwolves Hotly Pursuing Russell After Teague Deal

D'Angelo Russell's name just won't leave the NBA trade rumor mill but the Minnesota Timberwolves could really use someone like him now. After sending Jeff Teague to the Atlanta Hawks, the T-Wolves now find themselves a guard short in the rotation.

With Teague out, Shabazz Napier is the sole natural point guard of head coach Ryan Saunders. Jordan McLaughlin is the only other notable guard in the mix together with Andrew Wiggins. But as most know, Wiggins is best known as a small forward before he was transformed into a two-guard, CBS Sports reported.

Sorely short on guards right now, pundits feel that the decision to move Teague was meant for something. And this is to make room for another true point guard which now drags Russell's name into the picture.

According to The Athletic, the Timberwolves are now intensifying their pursuit on the Golden State Warriors guard. But the problem is the Dubs are in no hurry to dislodge the 23-year-old guard. The main reason for that is the Warriors are hurting with Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry still out nursing injuries.

Of course, the landscape will dramatically change when the Warriors have the Splash Brothers back in harness next season. For most, Russell is a temporary solution to the woes of Golden State who are toting a cellar-dwelling 9-33 win-loss card in the NBA Eastern Conference. DLO has been doing well under the tutelage of head coach Steve Kerr who speaks highly of the second overall pick of the 2015 NBA Draft.

This season, Russell has been delivering big numbers. According to Basketball-Reference.com, the 6-foot-4 guard is averaging 23.3 points, 3.5 rebounds and 6.0 assists. Those are big numbers to show off, in fact better than his career average.

With the current NBA season good as gone for the Warriors, it cannot be discounted that a deal may happen moving forward. The Timberwolves could offer Robert Covington, one of the buzzing names in the NBA trade rumor mill as of late. He is a 3-and-D player that could fit in well for the Dubs not only for the season but moving forward.

Aware he could be dealt soon, Covington mentioned in a previous post that he is trying to stay focused and is not paying attention to rumors. But if it is true that the T-Wolves are desperately seeking DLO, the 6-foot-7 forward could be another key acquisition for the rebuilding Golden State quintet.