The Minnesota Timberwolves’ strong interest in Golden State Warriors guard D’Angelo Russell is perhaps the league’s worst kept secret at this point. The Timberwolves have been hard-pushing this acquisition, to the point of even dangling Andrew Wiggins in the wake of a career-best season, according to Anthony Slater of The Athletic.

Russell is having a strong season with the Warriors, but one that has been plagued by a myriad of injuries. His value, however, takes a huge jump when considering the reason the Wolves want him so badly, to form a duo with franchise star Karl-Anthony Towns.

Minnesota’s pursuit of Russell in the summer was no secret. Management (and even owner Glen Taylor) flew him around in a helicopter, one that overviewed The Twin Cities. During the helicopter ride, news of Russell’s likely-done deal with the Warriors swarmed, making for an awkward trip back.

Russell is one of Towns’ best friends in the league and one addition that can reinforce how committed the Wolves are to Towns, as president Gersson Rosas is determined to make him the pillar of this franchise and hopes he can avoid the same fate as other team greats like Kevin Garnett and Kevin Love, who eventually left town.

The Warriors have no interest in adding Wiggins, even if it is an upgrade at the small forward position. Wiggins is known as one of the league’s most inefficient long-two shooters and is a career 33.2% 3-point shooter — two shortcomings that make him a poor fit in Golden State’s high-octane offense that is predicated in optimal shot opportunities.

Golden State has all the leverage and the front office knows it, unwilling to part with Russell unless a godfather offer involving Robert Covington comes into their lap. Barring that happening, the Warriors are likely to keep Russell past the deadline and start to listen again in the offseason, when plenty of other packages could become available.