The Timberwolves went all-in on signing D'Angelo Russell last summer.

They came up short, as D-Lo ultimately signed a four-year, $117.3 million max contract with the Warriors (although he technically signed the deal with the Nets and then was traded to the Dubs).

In July, we learned some details about Minnesota's pursuit of the 2019 Eastern Conference All-Star. And through a recent conversation between Russell and Anthony Slater of The Athletic, more information has come to light.

Spoiler alert -- the following anecdote might make you cringe a little:

Russell, sources said, had verbally agreed to the deal with the Warriors before he went to the meeting with the Wolves. There was no knowledge of how extravagant of a pitch Minnesota had planned. It wasn’t a quick in-and-out.

The Wolves — with all their power players present, including owner Glen Taylor — took Russell on a helicopter ride over Los Angeles, before delivering him to a private locale for a recruitment presentation they’d been planning the previous month.

On the helicopter trip back, good vibes in the air, news broke of Russell’s near agreement with the Warriors. Phones buzzed. The mood in the cabin changed. The rest of the date sounded quite uncomfortable.

“An awkward goodbye on the tarmac,” one source said.

Sheeeeesh, that's pretty brutal.

[RELATED: What D-Lo said about Dubs fans during free agent meeting]

And then to makes matters worse for the Timberwolves, Russell torched them for 52 points back on Nov. 8 (but Minnesota did win the game in overtime).

Still, the fans at Target Center got an-up close glimpse at what could have been. And they'll get one more opportunity to watch Russell in person this season, as the Warriors play in Minnesota again on Jan. 2.

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