NBA trade rumors: A home run Patrick Beverley trade for Lakers, Wolves
By Jason Reed
Why the Timberwolves and Spurs could say yes to this trade:
D’Angelo Russell is going to be an interesting name to watch at the deadline. Russell is on an expiring contract and hasn’t been the most impactful player for a Timberwolves team that has been really disappointing this season. He likely is not returning to Minnesota after this year, so getting something for him is ideal.
Timberwolves fans would tell you that they should get something great in return for Russell but that is not the case at all and the T-Wolves know that. There is a reason why he was originally acquired for Andrew Wiggins, who at the time was viewed as one of the worst contracts in the sport.
In this trade, the Timberwolves could get Patrick Beverley back in the building to try and turn this season around with his veteran leadership. Not only that, the team would be getting someone to help with the bad floor spacing in Doug McDermott, who is under contract for another year.
That fact is a reason for the Spurs to make this trade. This is a classic salary dump in which the Spurs are trading multiple salaries (one of which having one more year) for an expiring contract that they will pay less than half of. If Russell is bought out, it will be even less.
San Antonio is a team that is trying to tank for Victor Wembanyama so it makes sense to get rid of the marginal role players on the roster to allow the young players to play. Richardson and McDermott really are not worth all that much, especially with most teams likely not wanting to take on McDermott’s second year.
The Spurs get worse (which is better in this case) and pick up two second-round picks that could be in the top 40 still if the Lakers and Timberwolves bottom out to end the year. That is an easy yes.