3 crazy trades the Minnesota Timberwolves should consider
The NBA Trade Deadline is only days away, and the Minnesota Timberwolves should be buyers.
That is not a statement Minnesota fans are familiar with, so let me say it again to make sure you all got that.
The Timberwolves should be buyers at the deadline.
They’re currently 28-25 and seventh in the Western Conference and could make some noise come playoff time.
Minnesota needs size, rebounding and scoring off the bench. Those have been the three main things that have plagued them this season. With that, let’s take a look at 3 trades the organization should make before Feb. 10.
1. Timberwolves find their backup center
Kings get: Taurean Prince, Josh Okogie, 2022 lottery-protected first-round pick
Timberwolves get: Richaun Holmes, Maurice Harkless
Minnesota needs size, rebounding and a guy who can run the rim. Holmes does all of that really well, and he plays with a ton of energy. He can energize the arena with one possession and that’s especially important come playoff time.
His nickname is literally “Dunkman.” I could get used to that.
This season he’s averaging 11.8 points, 7.9 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per game. He’s also shooting 68.3 percent from the field.
The majority of his shots come at the rim or in the painted area. He’s only making $10 million a season and would be great value for the Timberwolves. Would he be OK with coming off the bench? Or would Minnesota have to move Jarred Vanderbilt out of the starting lineup?
The Kings just made an all-time dumb trade by adding another center. Which means they should maybe, just maybe, get rid of one in return.
Harkless is a throw-in, but he can provide veteran leadership.
Sacramento is rebuilding… maybe? I don’t know what the hell they’re doing.
They should value a young player in Okogie and a first-round pick. Prince is an expiring contract, which would help their cap flexibility moving forward.
2. Let’s get a little wild
Knicks get: Malik Beasley, Okogie, 2022 second-round pick
Timberwolves get: Mitchell Robinson, Evan Fournier
This one might get some blowback, but this trade helps the Timberwolves out in the short term. Robinson will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason, and Sachin Gupta should only execute this trade if they believe they can re-sign him.
However, he would help the Timberwolves size and rebounding problems. He can also operate in the pick and roll and provide rim protection. Just the other night he finished with eight blocks.
This season he’s averaging 8.7 rebounds, 8.6 points and 1.6 blocks. He’s also shooting 78.1 percent from the field. Robinson has had trouble staying healthy, but he’s young and very talented.
Fournier is on a bad contract and this might come back to bite Minnesota in the ass. However, he’s an upgrade over Beasley. Fournier single-handedly beat the Boston Celtics on Jan. 6, after he put up 41 points and was white-hot down the stretch.
He would be a more reliable option off the bench, but his contract is a concern. If the Timberwolves want to unload him in the future, they’d likely have to attach an asset.
The New York Knicks are shopping Fournier and it feels unlikely they’d re-sign Robinson. The Knicks would receive Okogie, who Tom Thibodeau would love to have again.
I think Beasley would thrive in New York and would play better under a more engaged crowd. This trade could go either way, but I think it might be worth a shot if you’re Minnesota.
3. Would it be Smart to trade for Marcus?
Celtics get: Beasley, Okogie, 2022 lottery-protected first-round pick, 2022 second-round pick.
Timberwolves get: Marcus Smart, Aaron Nesmith
The Smart rumors have been circling the internet this past week.
KSTP’s Darren Wolfson explained that there’s a belief the Timberwolves could trade for Smart. He mentioned it would take Beasley and a first-round pick, or Beasley, Jaden McDaniels and a first. For what it’s worth, he explained that it would most likely be the latter.
If that’s the case, I wouldn’t make that trade because McDaniels is a coveted asset. I like Smart, but not at that cost.
This trade might not be enough for the Celtics, but it’s worth a shot. Nesmith hasn’t played much this season, but I still like his upside. At 6-foot-7, he provides excellent 3-point shooting and defense. Coming out of college, Nesmith was arguably the best shooter, cashing in on 52.2 percent of his 3s in his final season.
He hasn’t found similar success, but he can make 40 percent of his 3s without a doubt.
The biggest part of this trade is landing Smart. He does a lot of similar things Patrick Beverley does, but he’s younger and would make the Timberwolves defense even better.
This season Smart is averaging 11.3 points, 5.4 assists, 4.0 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game. He’s shown the ability to be an efficient shooter, but he’s had a bit of a down year this season. He’s currently shooting 41.1 percent from the field and 30.7 from 3.
The Celtics need shooting, and they’ve been linked to Beasley in the past.
If that’s the trade the Timberwolves revisit, I’d be hesitant to make that move. I don’t think it moves the needle, and it would ruin the chemistry of the roster.
As Brian Windhorst of ESPN noted on Wolfson’s podcast, Okogie is a name that other teams are interested in. Would Boston want him as well? That remains to be seen.
