Warriors trade Russell to T-Wolves for Wiggins

The Golden State Warriors traded D'Angelo Russell, Jacob Evans, and Omari Spellman to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Andrew Wiggins, a 2021 first-round pick, and a 2021 second-rounder, the Warriors confirmed Thursday.

The 2021 first-rounder is top-three protected.

Russell signed a four-year, $117-million contract with Golden State this past offseason but was heavily rumored to be on the move before the trade deadline.

Reports indicated the Timberwolves repeatedly tried to acquire the point guard during the past week to address their primary ball-handling needs in the backcourt. Russell is also a close friend of Minnesota star Karl-Anthony Towns.

Wiggins moves to the Bay Area with three seasons and $94 million remaining on his contract. While the Canadian has shown flashes of brilliance during his five-and-a-half years in Minnesota, he's failed to consistently fulfill the potential that made him the No. 1 pick of the 2014 draft.