Wolves Closing in on 3-Team Blockbuster Involving DLo, Westbrook & Conley Jr

By Eric Strack |

Updated: Feb 8, 2023

The NBA Trade deadline is nearly upon us and it appears as if the Minnesota Timberwolves will not be standing pat.

According to Shams (The Athletic), PoBO Tim Connelly is nearing agreement on a three-team blockbuster trade that will send D’Angelo Russell to the LA Lakers, Russell Westbrook and a 1st round pick to the Utah Jazz and Mike Conley Jr. to the Wolves.

The Lakers, Jazz and Timberwolves are in discussions on a three-team deal that would send D’Angelo Russell to the Lakers, Russell Westbrook and draft compensation such as a first-round pick to Utah and Mike Conley Jr. to Minnesota, sources tell me and @Tjonesonthenba.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 8, 2023

**Update: The trade is currently being finalized (per Woj). It includes three future 2nd round picks and Nickeil Alexander-Walker back to the Wolves, along with Mike Conley Jr.

Mike Conley Jr vs D’Angelo Russell

Mike Conley Jr has one partially guaranteed season remaining on his contract after the 2022-23 season. Swapping DLo’s expiring contract out for Conley’s allows the Wolves one extra year to kick the can down the road on their 4th max salary slot and should fit in really well with Rudy Gobert, after their two seasons together in Utah.

If the Wolves do climb the Wester Conference ladder with this trade, it will cost Utah spots in next year’s 1st round, since they own the Wolves 1st round pick. Grabbing that additional 1st from the Lakers probably makes up for that concern on their end.

Mike Conley Jr isn’t playing better than D’Angelo Russell, in recent months. But he should give the Minnesota Timberwolves a trusty veteran point guard who brings consistency to the lineup night in and night out, along with 73 games of playoff experience over the course of his 15-year career.

More Players Will Be Involved

The Three players mentioned in Shams’ original tweet won’t be the only players moving in this deal. We do not know where they will land yet but former Timberwolves, Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt are expected to be on the move, as well. According to Woj, the Wolves haul will include picks but no additional players (for now)

Ongoing discussions have included Utah’s Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt as part of the potential three-team deal to the Lakers, sources said. Sides are working through pick protections and additional draft compensation too, per sources. https://t.co/DoI0EBOBVq
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 8, 2023

Three-way talks with Lakers, Jazz and Timberwolves would potentially land D’Angelo Russell and Malik Beasley with LA, Mike Conley, Jr., and picks with Timberwolves and Russell Westbrook and picks with Jazz, per sources. Jazz remain engaged elsewhere on Conley Jr., too.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 8, 2023

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan