The Timberwolves continue to explore ways to address their power forward position and have shown interest in the likes of Hawks big man John Collins and Magic forward Aaron Gordon, writes Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Multiple previous reports indicated that Minnesota inquired on Gordon during the offseason, but Charania’s report suggests the Timberwolves and Magic had “substantive discussions” on the power forward before he injured his ankle earlier this season. Those talks are expected to resume as Gordon nears a return to action, per Charania.
The Hawks’ and Magic’s asking prices for Collins and Gordon will be substantial, Charania adds. Timberwolves president of basketball operations Gersson Rosas hasn’t been shy about shaking up the roster since assuming control of the basketball operations department in 2019, but it remains to be seen how aggressive he’ll be at this year’s deadline with Minnesota holding the league’s worst record and at risk of losing its 2021 first-round pick (which is top-three protected).
Here’s more from Charania:
- Pacers guard Caris LeVert, who underwent surgery for kidney cancer in January after being traded to Indiana, is expected to play at some point in the second half, sources tell Charania. LeVert’s exact return timeline remains up in the air, since the club will be cautious and patient with him.
- Kings forwards Harrison Barnes and Nemanja Bjelica are both expected to receive interest from potential trade partners, with the Sixers, Heat, Warriors, Bucks, and Celtics among the clubs to display interest in Bjelica, per Charania.
- The Spurs are receiving and listening to inquiries on their veterans on expiring contracts, including DeMar DeRozan, Rudy Gay, Patty Mills, and Trey Lyles, sources tell The Athletic. Still, San Antonio is firmly in the playoff picture in the West and typically doesn’t make big in-season deals, so a deadline blockbuster seems unlikely.
- Nets point guard Spencer Dinwiddie, who will likely miss the rest of the season due to a knee injury, has drawn interest from multiple teams who value his Bird rights, according to Charania. We heard last week that Brooklyn has made Dinwiddie available in trade discussions.
Collins and Gordon will be overvalued
Should Wolves give up Edwards and/or 2024 First?
If yes, it will be comparable to Rockets future picks, need a lot of luck on draft picks
Tough job for next GM
No. They should definitely not get rid of Edwards. Remember how they gave away Lavine for one year of Butler? Wolves need to not go around trading their picks. The Russell trade was already a disaster.
Wolves really need a starting PF and are very very interested in Collins
What is the trade that can make Hawks better now or future?
Wolves don’t need a PF this season, this season is over. There will be no more discussion about Collins or Gordon until the off-season you can count on that. Why pay for an extra half year of a player? Would make no sense.
From Magic POV, I’d take Rubio + McDaniels + 2022 and 2023 2nd Rd Picks for Aaron Gordon.
Best and easiest thing to do is. Put a D PF next to KAT. Plays D and rebs and can play weak side help D. One you don’t have to break the bank for. You need a scorer, Noel fits the Bill. He doesn’t need ball and can still be a double double guy. TWolves have scoring they need help on D side. Noel is a FA next yr. 5 yrs 40 mill done.
If Wolves plan to give a player $8 million a year this summer, they need to dump Rubio $35 million contract now
Salary dump is the key to improve the future
Yeah you’re right they have to shed salary. Could do that in trade. Probably best way is look to move Rubio to Knicks. Or find one in draft. A defensive big is what they need most. It would go a long way to fixing team.
They could trade Rubio or anyone else this summer too, there is no real urgency at this point.
You are literally describing Jared Vanderbilt from their roster. The problem is the team doesn’t have enough shooting to make it work.
Once Beasley and Russell come back, if Finch can reign in the latter maybe it can work for now. Best thing for them may be to improve the bench of scrubs.
Question for Sixer fans-how many former Sixers, excluding draft day trades, played in the NBA this season?
Okafor, MCW, Vucevic, Iggy, Ish, Butler, Ersan?, Marco, TJ, Samspon, TLC, Grant, Muscala, McGee, Fultz, Jrue, Noel, GR3, Burke, Richardson, Boban, Holmes, Dude they got in the Fultz trade that got like 8M a year being okay with the Spurs and now I remember his name is Simmons, JJ, Pelle, Has the Australian dude played this yr Bolden?, Saric, RoCo, That’s what I got from memory so far. Trying to think if there were any more processors out there. I don’t think anyone else pre-Iggy trade is still in the league. Probably a couple 10 days I’m missing.
You have some I didn’t have but I count 27 I’d think that’s the most of any team. TJ McConnell, Justin Holiday, Horrors…
Actually now I have 32. That’s 2 teams!
Horford Richardson Lou Williams, Shamet
Burks, Ennis, Neto.
Best wishes to LaVert.
Worst run franchise in sports.
I’ve finally accepted this, even though I’m a die hard fan. :(