Re-signing Malik Beasley and Juan Hernangomez will be a priority for the Timberwolves during the offseason, president of basketball operations Gersson Rosas told Dane Moore of WCCO Radio in Minneapolis (Twitter link). Both players are headed for free agency after being acquired in a four-team deal in February.
“We want those guys to be Timberwolves for a long, long time,” Rosas said. “Hopefully, for the rest of their careers.”
After occupying a bench role in Denver, Beasley moved into the starting lineup when he arrived in Minnesota and was putting up the best numbers of his career before the hiatus. The 23-year-old guard averaged 20.7 PPG in 14 games with the Wolves while shooting career highs from the field (47.2%) and 3-point range (42.6%). The team will need to extend a $3.9MM qualifying offer to make him a restricted free agent.
Hernangomez, 24, also became a starter upon moving to Minnesota and averaged 12.9 PPG and 7.3 RPG in 14 games. The fourth-year power forward will be an RFA if the Wolves make a $4.6MM qualifying offer.
In the same interview, Rosas indicated that Minnesota plans to be aggressive again this offseason, similar to last summer when the team traded up to get Jarrett Culver on draft night, then pursued D’Angelo Russell in free agency (Twitter link). Rosas points out that the Wolves could have three picks in the top 33, which he called potentially “the most draft capital” of anyone (Twitter link).
Pick swap with Orlando and take a chance on Aaron Gordon.
Wolves top 6 pick + Johnson
=
Magic pick 15 + Gordon
Gordon might be a flight risk, but it’s worth trading a high pick and still getting a lower one back. If we could extend him for something close to his current price, that would be great.
Then make a move for Mikal Bridges, probably either the returning Magic pick or the Brooklyn pick.
PG – DLo, Culver
SG – Beasley, Okogie
SF – Bridges, Layman
PF – Gordon, Hernangomez
C – KAT, Reid
I think we could actually compete if that starting five grows together. I think they compliment each other nicely. Still might need a real defensive stopper to back up KAT.
With the warriors owning the pick next year might as well go all in since tanking nets them nothing
Right partner, wrong player. The wolves should trade for Isaac. Culver and okogie plus their 2nd 1st for Isaac and a a couple of 2nd. Draft maledon and oturu . Plus resign Beasley and hermangomez, McLaughlin…
Beasley McLaughlin
Russell maledon
Isaac. Layman
Hermangomez oturu
Kat reid
I would prefer Isaac, but I think Orlando does too. I’d rather give up less assets and get a player that could be our third banana.
In the draft, I’d like to see us get Vassell or Bey
Beasley is a heck of a player. I was in target center for his debut & he looked smooth. Hope to see him freezing his titts off in minny for a few years