Karl-Anthony Towns gained an ally.
Gersson Rosas landed a signature deal.
Ryan Saunders got a reprieve.
D’Angelo Russell went from placeholder to potential hero.
Fans were given the ultimate basketball gift: the absence of Andrew Wiggins.
The Timberwolves’ trade of Wiggins for Russell is at first glance a win-win-win-win-win proposition.
Rosas, Wolves president of basketball operations, deserves a parade for finding a way to trade a player hardly anybody wanted (Wiggins) for the exact player he has sought for almost a year (Russell).
Russell is the point guard Saunders needs to play his preferred style, and the point guard Towns needs to get him the ball and spread the floor.