It was just over a year ago that the Golden State Warriors dealt D’Angelo Russell to the Minnesota Timberwolves. The hope on the T-Wolves’ side was that Russell uniting with his close friend Karl-Anthony Towns would keep KAT happy, and Minnesota also got Andrew Wiggins’ contract off its books.
But in that trade was a top-3 protected first-round pick in 2021 that becomes unprotected in 2022. And with the Timberwolves struggling — they have the worst record in the NBA as of Monday morning — the Dubs are probably watching VERY closely at what’s happening in Minnesota after head coach Ryan Saunders was fired.
Something to monitor for the Warriors, who have Minnesota’s top-three-protected pick in a loaded 2021 draft. https://t.co/u16uKX6cmI
— Connor Letourneau (@Con_Chron) February 16, 2021
Let’s say the reported new hire Chris Finch fixes what’s broken in Minnesota — they do have some serious talent in Towns (who’s only played in 11 games), Russell, Malik Beasley and first-overall pick Anthony Edwards, it’s not THAT crazy to think the Wolves could get better. And let’s say the Detroit Pistons, Cleveland Cavaliers and Washington Wizards are worse.
Then the Warriors would be licking their chops at the possibility of a No. 4 or 5 pick in this year’s draft. Suddenly, in 2022, they would have a core of Steph Curry, the recovered Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, Andrew Wiggins, No. 2 overall pick in 2021 James Wiseman and whatever they get with the Wolves’ pick.
I’d say they’d root for that A LOT more than getting that pick unprotected in 2022, because the Wolves might be better next season in Year 2 of Edwards and with Towns and Russell playing more together.
So buckle up. Things are about to get verrrry interesting in Minnesota … and in the Warriors’ front office.
