TUESDAY, 11:08am: The deal has become official, according to Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune (via Twitter).
MONDAY, 6:49pm: The Kings are set to acquire Derrick Williams from the T’Wolves for Luc Mbah a Moute, according to Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports (on Twitter). The deal is pending a physical for Mbah a Moute, who has knee troubles, but a source says that it would have to be really bad for the Wolves to nix the trade (link).
Williams, the former No. 2 overall pick in the 2011 draft, has reportedly been on the block for more than a year now and while former GM David Kahn couldn’t find a home for him, new team president Flip Saunders may be on the cusp of doing just that. Williams might have been able to change the new regime’s impression of him with a hot start this season, but 4.9 PPG and 2.4 RPG through eleven games hasn’t helped his stock. Earlier today, Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN reported that a Williams trade seemed imminent.
The Kings have been aggressively pursuing trades and are reportedly targeting a solution at small forward. Mbah a Moute, a summer pickup, was supposed to be the answer, but he’s more of a role player than a starting three. As the UCLA product averages career-lows in points, rebounds, and minutes per game, Williams could represent an upgrade, even though small forward isn’t his natural position. The T’Wolves gave serious thought to moving Williams to the three – even having him drop from 250 pounds down to ~235 – but he never seemed to get the hang of it in training camp.
If completed, the trade would give Williams a fresh start while reuniting Mbah a Moute with former UCLA teammate Kevin Love. Mbah a Moute will be a defensive upgrade for Minnesota as he and Corey Brewer figure to frustrate opponents on a nightly basis.
Mbah a Moute, 27, is set to earn $4.58MM this season and $4.38MM in 2014/15. Williams, 22, will make $5.29MM this season and $6.68MM next season before reaching restricted free agency.
Marc Stein of ESPN.com (on Twitter) first reported that the two sides were in advanced talks on a swap of Mbah a Moute and Williams.
Imteresting move, dont see point for twolves
Unless they are going to trade Thompson or Patterson I don’t see the point as well. Gotta give Flip Saunders credit he’s done some great moves this year for the Wolves and is making sure Kevin Love has a competitive team can’t ask for more then that really.
Thompson can also play Center and Williams SF.
I think Patterson really should be the odd man out really.
He would be a good fit for the Houston Rockets should the Washington Wizards acquire Asik & Aaron Brooks or Francisco Garcia for Martel Webster or Trevor Ariza and Kevin Seraphin or Chris Singleton, plus a possible draft pick. That would be a good trade for both teams to bolster toward the playoff run as couple dangerous teams no one will want to face on top of making up tough season for both the Nationals & Redskins.
Williams can’t play SF – that’s why the Timberwolves got rid of him. Unless you are okay with terrible defense at the 3 and no floor spacing.
I see the point for the Wolves, they wanted a defensive minded small forward with a lot of versatility. Mbah a Moute is a good team guy with a definitive roll. I don understand on the Kings side of this deal. Kings need a offensive minded small forward that can stretch the floor, Derrick Williams is not that. Williams is a power forward, and the Kings already have Jason Thompson, Patrick Patterson, and Chuck Hayes..
Completely agree with you, that SF tandem looks a lot better if it’s Brewer/Mbah a Moute vs. Brewer/Hummel or Williams. Loved D-Will and hope he turns into a solid player but…
as you said, SC is already pretty loaded with guys who sort of need to play PF, unless they want the same spacing issues Detroit has had with their starting lineup this season.