D'Angelo Russell and the Minnesota Timberwolves were unable to make progress on a contract extension this past offseason, sources tell Jake Fischer of Yahoo.

Russell is in the final season of a four-year, $117 million deal he initially agreed to as part of a sign-and-trade with the Golden State Warriors. The Wolves traded for Russell in 2020 under Gersson Rosas. 

“Yeah, it’s my life,” Russell told Yahoo. “That’s it. Just be conscious of it.” 

The Miami Heat have registered interest in Russell, but a direct deal for Kyle Lowry appears unlikely. The Los Angeles Clippers and Phoenix Suns are two teams known to be monitoring potential improvements in the backcourt before the deadline. The Suns were linked to Russell in 2019 as he has a close relationship with Devin Booker. 

Russell was asked by Yahoo how he is currently helping to push Anthony Edwards.

“I’m an Alpha as well, you know what I mean?" said Russell. "And I feel like I’m better than a lot of shooting guards and I’m better than a lot of point guards.”