Timberwolves: 1 trade idea for Jusuf Nurkic
The NBA Trade Deadline is less than two weeks away (Feb. 10), and the Minnesota Timberwolves should trade for Jusuf Nurkić.
Because the Timberwolves are 25-25 and seventh in the Western Conference, they should be buyers at the deadline. Nurkić is one player to keep an eye on since the Portland Trail Blazers are 21-30 and in 10th place.
If the season ended today, Portland would be the final team in the play-in. However, they could fall out of contention if Damian Lillard misses the season.
The front office will have to make a big decision over the next handful of days. Personally, they should sell and get as many assets as they can at the deadline. Though, it’s hard to see the Blazers leaning in that direction because they’ve always been a team that competes.
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst went on KSTP’s Darren Wolfson’s podcast, and had this to say about the situation:
I don’t know what the Blazers are going to do, they’re one of those teams that’s on the fence that I can see potentially being a seller. If they are a seller, I think you keep an eye on Jusuf Nurkic there if you’re Minnesota because I know they’re looking for a five.
To be clear, Windhorst noted that he’s not heard Nurkić is available.
Still, Minnesota does need more size, and Nurkić fits the build.
Trade Idea:
Timberwolves get: Nurkić
Trail Blazers get: Malik Beasley, Naz Reid, 2022 second-round pick
Why Minnesota says yes:
The Timberwolves lack size, and that’s abundantly clear when Karl-Anthony Towns is not on the floor. Reid has the potential of becoming a good player, but there’s not a fit for him on this roster.
Reid and Towns games are very similar, but the former LSU standout struggles against bigger teams.
Minnesota also lacks size off the bench, and they could use another player. While Nurkić wouldn’t come off the bench, he would add depth and another body.
It would be interesting to see how Chris Finch alters his rotations if they made this trade. I like Jarred Vanderbilt in the starting lineup, but he would have to be moved to the bench. At the end of the day, this is a good problem to have.
Nurkić is one of the biggest players in the NBA at 6-foot-11 and 290 pounds. There’s a reason his nicknames are “The Bosnian Beast” and “The Bosnian Bear.”
Minnesota shouldn’t add a first-round pick because that would be too much for a player who might leave in the offseason.
Here’s Nurkić on the upcoming trade deadline and free agency:
My mindset is whatever happens in February, it will only be a couple months, then it’s the summer and I have the key to do whatever I want to do.
Jason Quick, The Athletic
Nurkić is only 27 years old, but he will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason. Hopefully, Minnesota would be able to re-sign him this offseason, but he would likely make more than $20 million a year.
This season he’s averaging 14.6 points, 10.7 rebounds and 2.6 assists. Those numbers don’t look like they’re worth that much money, but he has a massive impact on the game.
He had an incredible month of January, averaging 17.3 points, 12.2 rebounds and 3.2 assists.
He can do a bit of everything on offense; he can score, facilitate, rebound and play with his back to the basket.
Defensively, he’s been playing at a high level and has used his size to his advantage.
The fit is interesting, but the Timberwolves would benefit from this trade.
Why Portland says yes:
The Blazers are heading for a rebuild. No matter how much they want to deny it, they’re going to have to trade Lillard.
In this trade, Portland would receive Reid, Beasley and a 2022 second-round pick. The Blazers have done a good job getting the most out of their draft picks, and I’m sure they could find good value late in the draft.
Beasley has two years left on his deal, and there’s the potential he could find some rejuvenated success. If Portland believes they can still compete, Beasley is a player that can help them win games.
Worst case, the Blazers continue to struggle next year and they become sellers at the trade deadline. Beasley would be an easy player to unload because of the team option at the end of next season.
Reid is on a very team-friendly deal. Portland can give him a larger role because they don’t have a center on the team in his way. He could develop into a really good player and help the Blazers get back on their feet.
Who knows what’s going to happen, but Minnesota should trade for Nurkić.
