Should the Minnesota Timberwolves stand pat or make a move at the NBA Trade Deadline?
The Minnesota Timberwolves are in an interesting position ahead of the NBA Trade Deadline; they can either make a move or stand pat. At the end of the day, both make sense, but what should the font office do?
The Timberwolves are currently the eighth seed in the Western Conference with a record of 29-27. They’re in a prime position to land a top-six seed, but they could also fall out of the play-in with one bad stretch of games; that’s how tight things are in the West.
The Dallas Mavericks improved their roster (talent-wise) with the addition of Kyrie Irving, but there are massive question marks with the fit on defense. The Golden State Warriors have been limping all season and will be without Steph Curry for multiple weeks due to an injury.
The Phoenix Suns are picking things up, and Devin Booker will return to the lineup on Wednesday night. The Los Angeles Clippers are arguably the most talented team in the conference, but they can’t stay on the floor long enough to pose any real threat.
The Timberwolves have the talent and could potentially catapult themselves up in the standings. I outlined three potential avenues the front office could take before Feb. 9. The most likely moves (if any) are Naz Reid, Jaylen Nowell, and D’Angelo Russell – all three are unrestricted free agents this offseason.
With the way DLo has played, it’s hard to see him going anywhere. The Los Angeles Clippers have had interest in Russell, but it’s hard to see them offering anything of value that would entice Minnesota.
He’s been shooting close to 50/40/90 and has excelled in his role as an off-ball guard. If he can remain in the same role when Karl-Anthony Towns returns, then keeping him should be the priority. If the FO believes he can’t, then moving him makes sense.
Nowell is reportedly leaning towards leaving in free agency, but his trade value isn’t high enough for Minnesota to trade him.
The case to move Reid is simple: he’s an unrestricted free agent this offseason, and it’s hard to see him wanting to play 15-20 minutes a night behind Towns and Rudy Gobert.
KAT’s return is still unknown, and the Wolves need all the help they can get at the center position. Gobert has been in and out of the lineup, and the frontcourt has run thin at times.
The one rumor that’s been going around is a swap for Bones Hyland. Personally, that doesn’t do it for me because he doesn’t play defense and is either giving you six or 30 points. He’s not getting along with the players and staff and has completely checked out.
Plus, you’re only helping the Denver Nuggets by getting him off of the roster for a backup big (what they need most). I’d do it for Nowell and a second, but I don’t think the Nuggets would.
Wherever the Timberwolves land on this, they can easily move that contract at a later date. Reid has been great this season for Minnesota, especially when he’s been called to start.
- Starter: 16.5 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 1.8 APG, 49.5 FG%, 30.8 3P%, 64.3 FT%
- Reserve: 9.1 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 0.8 APG, 55.5 FG%, 33.3 3P%, 67.3 FT%
Reid deserves to get paid, whether it’s with the Timberwolves or not.
Minnesota has a big decision to make before Feb. 9; they can either stand pat or make a move involving Reid, Nowell or Russell. If I had to guess, I’d say they stand pat. The Wolves are playing well, and getting Towns back could be viewed as the new addition to the team.
Let us know in the comment section below what you think the Timberwolves will do at the NBA Trade Deadline.
