NBA rumors: Warriors want draft picks in D'Angelo Russell trade with T-Wolves

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The NBA trade deadline is this Thursday, Feb. 6, at noon PT, and the Warriors reportedly are "listening to pitches" for point guard D'Angelo Russell.

The Minnesota Timberwolves have been pursuing the 23-year-old since the summer, and remain engaged with Golden State on a potential trade.

The latest intel comes from Shams Charania and Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic:

So far in the Warriors-Timberwolves talks, Golden State would only consider a deal that has significant draft pick compensation as part of any Minnesota package, according to league sources. As a team currently in a rebuild, the Timberwolves are reluctant to sacrifice too much of their own draft capital in deals, including one for Russell.

Minnesota is believed to have drawn a line in the sand in any Russell trade talks with the Warriors, that being an unwillingness to part with its unprotected 2020 first-round pick.

“There is a deal to be had here,” one source said, “but something would have to give.”

The T-Wolves have lost 11 games in a row, and are 4-25 in their last 29 games.

They boast the fifth-worst record in the league at 15-33 overall, so their unprotected first-rounder this year could be quite valuable.

The Warriors (11-39) are in the basement of the standings by themselves, so they might end up with two very high draft picks (which they could end up trading).

[RELATED: Why this trade deadline is much different for Dubs, Myers]

Here's the reality -- the Dubs have the leverage over Minnesota right now because they have the player Minnesota wants. Golden State doesn't need to rush into any deal.

As they say, "deadlines spur action," so the next few days should be very, very interesting.

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