The Minnesota Timberwolves are likely going to run it back, or so that’s what we’re being told. Nonetheless, a trade with the Portland Trail Blazers makes a lot of sense, and it’s something the Wolves’ front office should consider.

Portland is either going to trade Damian Lillard or move their No. 3 pick. It’s difficult to see a scenario where they teeter the line and keep both assets. From everything that’s being said by reporters, it’s unlikely Portland moves on from their best player in franchise history.

So, that leaves the Blazers in a position to improve the roster by moving the No. 3 pick.

The new CBA rules are going to make things difficult for the Timberwolves if they run it back in a couple of years, and moving on from Karl-Anthony Towns now could be in the best interest of the team.

Minnesota needs a roster change, and Portland needs a star player to pair with Lillard. Here’s what a potential trade could look like:

Why Portland says yes:

Pairing Lillard with a stretch-five seems like a match made in heaven. Plus, KAT would be the most talented player Lillard has ever played with in his career. If they re-sign Jerami Grant, that would be a solid trio of players who can get out in transition and stretch the floor.

Grant and KAT were always a pairing people have been fascinated with, and now it finally comes to fruition.

Towns also needs to be in a situation where he understands he’s the clear No. 2 option. That’s still not abundantly clear in Minnesota, despite Anthony Edwards being on the team.

Lillard is the clear-cut alpha on the Blazers, and Towns would be an incredible number two. Last season in 29 games, he averaged 20.8 points, 8.1 rebounds and 4.8 assists. The year before that, he averaged 24.6 points – a number that’s more comparable to his career average.

He’s arguably the greatest shooting big man in league history, and pairing him in Portland would be a lot of fun to watch.

Anfernee Simons is a good player, but we’ve already seen how a combo-scoring guard works with Lillard. It didn’t work with CJ McCollum, and it’s never going to work with Simons. It’s time to move on and now’s their opportunity.

Why Minnesota says yes:

Towns needs a fresh start, and getting out of Minnesota might be the best for him. He’s given Wolves fans a lot of good years, but he’s associated with a lot of losing seasons – even if that’s unfair.

This is Edwards’s team moving forward, and this trade solidifies that.

Moving on from KAT helps the team with the new CBA rules taking effect. Simons is on the books until 2026 and will be making a little over $25 million. That’s a lot easier on the books, versus paying another center over $50 million.

It’s tough to assess the third pick because the Charlotte Hornets (if they keep the pick) could draft Scoot Henderson. Henderson should be the No. 2 pick, but Brandon Miller has been the guy rumored to be taken at that spot.

Imagine a Timberwolves lineup of:

• PG: Mike Conley
•   SG: Anthony Edwards
•   SF: Jaden McDaniels
•   PF: Kyle Anderson
•   C: Rudy Gobert
•   Bench:
•   Scoot Henderson
•   Anfernee Simons
•   Naz Reid (If re-signed)

There are a few more pieces that need to be added, but that’s the general gist of things. That’s a solid lineup with the ability to mix and match a lot of different things. Henderson gets to learn from Conley, which would be great for his learning curve.

The bench last season was hit or miss, and the Wolves lacked scoring when Edwards would come out of the game. Having Simons come off the bench would be a luxury, especially his 3-point shooting.

Last season he averaged 21.1 points per game and shot 37.7 percent from 3 on 9.1 attempts.

Minnesota’s 3-point shooting was awful last year, and adding a player like that would help space the floor, especially if Gobert is on the floor.

There’s a lot to like about the trade for both teams. For Portland, it gives them the chance to pair another star with Lillard. For Minnesota, it gives them salary flexibility and a potential future star point guard.