Report: Clippers 'looking hard at D'Angelo Russell'
The NBA trade deadline strikes at 2 p.m. CT Thursday and it remains a giant mystery what the Minnesota Timberwolves will do with D'Angelo Russell.
The rumor mill hasn't been very hot, but that might be changing with a nugget from NBA insider Marc Stein on his new podcast with fellow insider Chris Haynes.
"From what I'm told, the Clippers have been looking hard at D'Angelo Russell," said Stein on the #thisleague UNCUT podcast. "I think they have interest in Naz Reid as well, but all the signals from Minnesota have been that Naz Reid is not going to be moved."
What can the Clippers give the Timberwolves for Russell?
Based on their reported offer to the Nets for Kyrie Irving, who was dealt to the Mavericks, the Clippers were willing to send Brooklyn Luke Kennard, Terance Mann, a future first-round pick and future first-round pick swaps.
Which of those pieces fit best with Minnesota? Probably Mann. He's a defensive-minded wing who has the ability to score, although he's averaging only 8.5 points per game this season. But with a defense-first approach, head coach Chris Finch could feature an extremely versatile defensive lineup with Mann, Jaden McDaniels, Anthony Edwards and Rudy Gobert all on the floor together.
Kennard would also be a great fit because of his ability to shoot the 3. He led the NBA in 3-point shooting last season and this year's he's hitting on 45.9% of his triples.
And any kind of draft pick compensation would be welcome since Minnesota gave up four first-round picks (and Walker Kessler) for Rudy Gobert.
Making the money work would require some creativity since Mann is only making $1.9 million this year (he's signed for two years and $21 million beyond this season) and Kennard is earning $14.4 million (also under team control for two more seasons).
Other reports suggest the Clippers are willing trade guards John Wall and Reggie Jackson, and small forward Robert Covington, though it's unclear if Minnesota has any interest in those players.
Trading Russell would be both wise because Russell is a free agent after the season and risky because Russell has been one of the best shooter in the NBA going back to December. But he's also expendable because Karl-Anthony Towns is expected to return from a calf injury sometime after the All-Star break.
The clock is ticking and the rumors should only get more interesting as the week continues.
