NBA: Warriors send Russell to Timberwolves for Wiggins

By Can Erozden

ANKARA (AA) - Golden State Warriors and Minnesota swapped shooting guards Thursday as the Warriors traded D'Angelo Russell to the Timberwolves for Andrew Wiggins, an NBA source said.

"Golden State has agreed to trade D'Angelo Russell to Minnesota in a deal that includes Andrew Wiggins, a 2021 protected first-round pick and a 2022 second-round pick, league sources tell ESPN. Warriors will send Jacob Evans and Omari Spellman to the Timberwolves, too," NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski said on Twitter.

Russell, 23, is averaging 23.6 points, 6.2 assists and 3.7 rebounds this season.

Before his one-season spell with the Warriors, Russell played for the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Lakers.

Twenty-four-year-old Wiggins tallied 22.4 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game.

The 2015 Rookie of the Year has played for Timberwolves since his debut in 2014.

This season, the Warriors has dealt with shocking injuries to their backcourt known as the “Splash Brothers,” playmaker point guard Stephen Curry and shooting guard Klay Thompson.

The 2015, 2017 and 2018 NBA champions bottomed in the Western Conference with a 12-40 record.

The team is seeking a miracle to join the NBA playoffs later this year.

Only the top eight teams from the East and West conferences will make the post season and the Warriors, in spot 15, trail the first place Lakers.

- Heat sign Iguodala

The Miami Heat signed veteran Andre Iguodala.

The NBA said the Heat acquired the 36-year-old swingman for two years at $30 million.

The 2015 NBA Finals MVP refused to play for the Memphis Grizzlies since he was traded last summer from the Warriors.

He had 68 appearances last year, averaging 5.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.2 assists.

Thursday's deal included Justise Winslow as Memphis received the 23-year-old forward from the Heat.

Winslow is averaging 11.3 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4 assists per game this season.

- Drummond to Cavs

The Cleveland Cavaliers acquired center Andre Drummond.

"Cleveland is finalizing a trade for Detroit's Andre Drummond, league source tells ESPN," Wojnarowski said on social media.

Drummond, 26, has been a Piston since 2012 when he was drafted.

This season he averaged 17.8 points, 15.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists.

Dominant under the rim, Drummond leads the NBA in rebounds.