The Minnesota Timberwolves got the NBA Trade Deadline right
The Minnesota Timberwolves didn’t make a deal at the NBA Trade Deadline, and for once, that was the right decision.
Over the last decade and a half, the Timberwolves have almost always been sellers. Each year, there was no question what the team should do; it was always to collect the most assets for long-term success. When the Timberwolves were rolling with Jimmy Butler, Minnesota went into the deadline with a buyer’s mindset.
But what about this season?
Minnesota is currently 29-26 and seventh in the Western Conference. On paper, that would mean the Wolves should be buyers, right? Not exactly, because this roster enjoys playing with and for each other, and that’s hard to find.
Minnesota isn’t a free agent destination, which is why they can’t rush anything. If they messed this season up because of the trade deadline, fans will never let this year down. I honestly don’t think this fanbase can take another punch, myself included.
Nonetheless, you could argue this Wolves team has the best team chemistry in the NBA.
If they were to have made a move, it would have been for a backup big or scoring off the bench. Players like Josh Okogie, Jake Layman and Naz Reid were most likely to be traded. They also have a first-round pick and three seconds that could have been a sweetener in any deal.
This will not come back to bite the front office in the ass if the bench unit continues to play the way they have.
Jordan McLaughlin was unplayable at the beginning of the season, but right now he’s a crucial part of the bench’s success.
Jaylen Nowell’s minutes have fallen off, but he was a big reason the Wolves were winning games in January and early February.
Malik Beasley and Taurean Prince have finally caught fire, and they can easily drop 20 on any given night.
Here’s a look at Prince’s splits:
- January: 5.7 points, 2.4 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 53.3 FG%, 40.6 3P%, 75.0 FT%
- February: 12.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 56.4 FG%, 63.6 3P%, 75.0 FT%
Prince was shooting under 30 percent to start the season, but January and February was the beginning of something new.
Beasley on the other hand has been making almost every 3 he takes. He already shoots a high volume of 3s, so he will miss more than he takes. In January, his shooting splits were .346/.327/.800, but in February, it improved to .481/.553/.800.
It looks like the Timberwolves fanbase is split on what the team should have done at the NBA Trade Deadline.
If you liked what the Timberwolves did or thought they should have made a trade, let us know in the comment section below.
They should have traded for LeBron