Derrick Williams is seeing a little more playing time recently, averaging 24.7 minutes per game over the Timberwolves' last five contests after seeing 17.4 MPG up until that point. Kevin Love's recent hand injury has contributed to Williams' increased minutes, but the team also may be trying to showcase the former second overall pick for a potential trade. According to Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN Twin Cities (via Twitter), Williams is being "shopped heavily" by the T-Wolves.
Since being drafted one spot behind Kyrie Irving in 2011, Williams has struggled to fulfill his potential with the Timberwolves. Wolfson notes (via Twitter) that the team doesn't view Williams as an ideal fit in coach Rick Adelman's system, and is considering its short-term and long-term options in shopping the 21-year-old. With Love out, the Wolves are looking to acquire a big in any deal for Williams, according to Wolfson (via Twitter), though he's not sure about specific names.
This is hardly the first time we've heard about Williams' availability. Sam Amico of FOX Sports Ohio wrote last Monday that he'd be surprised if the Arizona product was still in Minnesota after the trade deadline. On the same day, Chuck Myron of Hoops Rumors examined Williams' trade candidacy, speculating about some potential fits for the second-year forward.
Although there's no guarantee that the Wolves will move Williams or anyone else by February 21st, Wolfson tweets that the team appears to be "trying hard" to make a move, and that it looks like something will happen in the next few weeks.