Timberwolves president of basketball operations Gersson Rosas has been extremely proactive in overhauling the club’s roster since taking control of the front office in 2019, and Minnesota figures to be a team worth watching again leading up to this Thursday’s trade deadline.
While the Wolves have been linked to potential trade targets like Aaron Gordon and John Collins, Zach Lowe of ESPN (Insider link) says it’s safe to assume that if there’s a power forward between the ages of 22 and 30 who could theoretically be available, Minnesota has inquired on him. Upgrading the four is a top priority for the team.
On the other hand, while the Wolves could be in the market for a win-now move, they’ve also signaled that they may be willing to trade some of their deeper rotation players for future draft picks, sources tell Lowe.
Lowe’s latest look at the trade market is worth checking out in full if you’re an ESPN+ subscriber. Here are some of the highlights:
- Lowe’s sources believe the Bulls could get a first-round pick for Thaddeus Young, but they continue to signal that he’s not available. Chicago has also rebuffed inquires on rookie forward Patrick Williams.
- The Bucks will peruse the trade and buyout markets for a backup guard after trading D.J. Augustin, and Lowe suggests Knicks guard Austin Rivers is a target to watch. Rivers is a buyout candidate if New York doesn’t trade him by Thursday afternoon.
- Lowe believes a Nikola Vucevic trade is “very unlikely.” Jared Weiss and Sam Amick of The Athletic conveyed a similar sentiment today, writing that it might take a Jrue Holiday-esque return for the Magic to pull the trigger.
- Other teams suggest the Nuggets have been active in search of a deal to upgrade their rotation, according to Lowe, who confirms Denver explored a move for P.J. Tucker before he was sent to Milwaukee.
- While the Warriors aren’t feeling pressure to move Kelly Oubre, they’re exploring the market for him to see if there’s a deal that could help them more beyond this season, Lowe says.
- Pacers sharpshooter Doug McDermott is drawing interest from several teams, sources tell ESPN.
What is exactly the Timberwolves’ plan? Rosas may be extremely proactive, but he appears to be taking stabs in the dark. He’d better getting it straight soon, before KAT grows tired of not even making the playoffs.
I think they’re just praying Edwards ends up being a star and soon – then maybe if they get Collins they have a frontline that can make them competitive
Otherwise yeah they’re pretty much a wasteland. D’Angelo doesn’t seem to be working out so well…
Aaron Gordon or Collins could save Rosas. I like the chances of Collins better than Gordon in Minnesota.
What can they offer for those two? There first round pick this year and next year is already tied up with Golden State.
Beasley, Rubio, Hernangomez, Culver, Reid, Nowell, Mcglaughlin, 2-2nds in 2022, and a conditional 2023-2024 1st round pick.
I should have clarified and said who can they trade that actually has value because most of those names are not appealing.
They also can’t offer their 2023 first round pick because their 2022 first round pick is still tied to Golden State. You can’t trade future first round picks in consecutive years.
*conditional.
Love the sarcasm, Thank you, Happy Easter, wanna slap my wife and mom around a little?
anybody interested in a little D’Angelo Russell?
/s
Minnesota still have their 1st round pick this year if it’s top 3 not golden State
You can’t trade future first round picks in consecutive years though.
Gordon D and contract is way better than Collins … All in on AG
Wolves second rounders
2021 to warriors
2022 to Knicks
Wolves can trade away 2024 and 2026 first round picks
Then sell the team