The Timberwolves had five players in their top tier for Thursday’s draft, and knew they had no shot at Zion Williamson, Ja Morant, or R.J. Barrett, writes Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic. Darius Garland and Jarrett Culver were the other players in that group, according to Krawczynski, who says that Minnesota may have preferred Garland to Culver, but didn’t hesitate to nab the Texas Tech wing at No. 6 over Coby White and others.
According to Krawczynski, the Timberwolves might have had an opportunity to move up to No. 4 before the Pelicans made a deal with the Hawks, but Minnesota was seeking the No. 11 pick and Robert Covington and would’ve wanted to dump Solomon Hill‘s unwanted contract on the Wolves.
Even after moving up to select Culver at No. 6, the Timberwolves stayed active, according to Darren Wolfson and Danny Cunningham of Skor North, who report (via Twitter) that the team had discussions about the No. 12 pick with the Hornets. Those talks didn’t seem to get far, per Wolfson, adding that Sekou Doumbouya was the presumed target at that spot for Minnesota.
Here’s more on the Wolves:
- The Timberwolves have been actively exploring options to move off Andrew Wiggins‘ contract, league sources tell Jake Fischer of SI.com (Twitter link). It’s not clear if Minnesota is just gauging the market or if the club will continue to pursue a Wiggins deal as the offseason progresses.
- Wolfson (Twitter link) hears that Sixers veteran T.J. McConnell is among the free agent point guards on Minnesota’s radar.
- John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 (Twitter link) has heard that free-agent-to-be Tobias Harris has interest in the Timberwolves. That looks like a very unlikely pairing though, since Minnesota has no path to cap room and the Sixers won’t be eager to accommodate a sign-and-trade.
- Bryan Gates is the latest coach expected to join Ryan Saunders‘ staff as an assistant, tweets Krawczynski. Gates, who had a previous stint in Minnesota, has served as an assistant in Sacramento for the past few seasons.
Suppose the Sixers somehow lose both Toby and Jimmy. Anyone opposed to taking Wiggins for nothing but a salary dump?
And then turning around and offering max or near max to Russell?
4 players on the 6&under max is more palatable than 2 on the 7&up max and 2 6&under.
If I’m the 76ers, I wouldn’t. You have too much championship potential in your young core already to pick up a massive, roster debilitating contract like Wiggins.
IIf they lose both Butler and Harris, they hold out for next years free agency or see what’s opens up on the trade market. I don’t think they lose both though.
4 yrs on his deal. Only 23. Talent is there, offensively. Defense needs more effort for sure. Just looking at the landscape. This is the last Offseason they can improve this roster. This is it. Simmons extension closes the door on adding 2 premium players. Won’t have enough cap space. And next year’s FA is trash imo. Russell and Wiggins would be better than nothing.
Preference would be Butler and Russell, Butler and Toby, Toby and Russell, Russell and Wiggins. Of those 4 players.
Middleton isn’t worth Max, neither is Toby but you control bird rights.
Good points, and Wiggins would do better as just a shooter supporting Embiid & Simmons. I don’t think he’s against winning, just not good at it.
But it’s Tobi not Toby. At least until he signs!
Wiggins has never reached his potential and his defense is suspect and Russell is immature and a rat. Not respected by teammates and wants the ball on top of that and plays zero defense. If you watched any of the playoffs you would have seen the 76ers couldnt defend the perimeter. If anything you need Leonard or both jimmy and tobias back or its a bust
yes but if you can’t get Butler or Tobias you can’t stay pat. they have a small window of time to compete. Wiggins defense can me mitigated.
I threw out a Kawhi scenario on a previous Sixers lost. They have. meeting scheduled apparently. I am talking in reality here tho. Kawhi is pie in the sky at this point.
if tobias has interest in wolves and not planning on comnig back, why not do a sign and trade for wiggins. wiggins and embiid can play together again like they did in college
Wiggins hasn’t developed into the player many were expecting. His contract is a bad one and would prevent Philly from any necessary moves going forward that may be needed. Minny would need to package an array of draft picks to offload Wiggins on someone who has the cap room and not going anywhere for a few years.
100% correct!
Loved moving up to get Culver. Garland would’ve been nice but I was hoping we wouldn’t give up Covington in any deal – to only give up the 11th and Saric for one more season is a good deal. Not totally sure what Phoenix is thinking – Saric doesn’t put you over the edge this year, and they probably could’ve dropped to the early 20s and still picked Cam Johnson.
MIN FO > PHX FO
Scott Layden was GM of the Knicks between 1999-mid2003 and his page shows nothing very smart-looking in review. Then he pops up at MIN and I like the choices made with new BasOps Gersson Rosas.
Culver is behind Teague, Wiggins & Covington now, but there are probably more changes to be made.
Teague cannot stay healthy and Wiggins is worthless defensively,
If they cannot unload Wiggins I sure hope they trade Teague and stay with
Jones as their starting PG ..
I agree.
Now one wants Wiggins or Teague’s contracts! Taylor screwed the pooch giving Wiggins a max deal. Teague’s would be fine if he wasn’t always hurt. We play real well when Teague’s healthy.
No one wants………sorry