If Minnesota is better, it is partly thanks to D’Angelo Russell. Great form of the one whose level of play was mocked a few months earlier. But will that be enough? The leader, who arrived in 2020, might already pack his bags at the Trade Deadline. We take stock of the situation.
With seven wins in ten games, the Wolves find colors. Clinging to 5th place in the West, the Minneapolis franchise is benefiting from the return to form of D’Angelo Russell, which has reignited debates over its future. The former Lakers will be free at the end of the season, his future is still uncertain. With its good performance, the 26 year old player should be up for a big contract. But the Wolves are going to have a hard time giving him what he’s asking for.
If D-Lo sees his stats down since his arrival at Minny, the leader looks back on the start of 2003. One of the architects of the very good dynamics of Wolves, who currently have three consecutive victories. It’s simple, since mid-November, D-Lo has been running at 20 points and 6 assists average in 50/40/90with 46% shooting success (compared to 41 last season).
D’Angelo Russell is really at a very, very high level of confidence in his shot.
He will finish the month of January at 46% on three points (!) taking 6 shots per evening.
And since November 15? He simply runs in 50-40-90 at almost 20 points on average. Nickel.
— TrashTalk (@TrashTalk_fr) January 29, 2023
The leader, who is very good friends with Karl-Anthony Towns, took responsibility for the creation. If we saw a shy D-Lo at the start of the season, little involved in defense and poorly connected with Anthony Edwards, it has now regained its luster. Russell is sharp, efficient and secure behind Ant, as evidenced by his last two performances at 25 and 19 points. Good performances which revive the debates around its extension.
While the Wolves were thinking of potentially parting with it, it has been almost a year since we wondered if D-Lo is able to take his franchise to a new level. Author of disappointing 2022 Playoffs with only 12 points at 33.3% success ratehe was already in the sights of the front office during the offseason, and his start to the year has not erased doubts regarding him. But today, Tim Connelly is in a dilemma.
Wolves, on the other hand, have to think regarding their finances and might therefore make D-Lo available on the market. But if the two sides find common ground, then Russell and Wolves might continue their joint adventure. But as of this writing, all options are on the table, and Minnesota might still transfer it by February 9as indicated HoopsHype.
Even if it seems unfortunate for Minnesota to part with a position 1 without a backup solution, the Wolves cannot afford to let it go this summer once morest nothing. The management of Minnesota must now decide: either it tradeor it gives in to the big contract. What will Wolves do? Important decision for the future of the franchise.
Source texte : Basketball ReferenceHoopsHype
