The Timberwolves are coming off a thrilling season — one that featured their second playoff appearance in the last 17 years — but the road ahead will only be harder for the team, Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic writes.
Minnesota finished the regular season with a 46-36 record. The team showed flashes of potential in its first-round series against the No. 2 Grizzlies, but ultimately lost in six games.
“We’ve got to take two steps forward while other teams take one step forward,” executive vice president of basketball operations Sachin Gupta said.
In addition to the Grizzlies, the West also has several other competitive teams. The Suns, Warriors, Nuggets and Mavericks will all likely be competing for a championship again next season. Minnesota fans may have enjoyed this season, but more work must be done before advancing in the playoffs.
Here are some other notes from the Northwest Division:
- Trading D’Angelo Russell may be best for the Timberwolves, Michael Rand of the Star Tribune opines. Rand believes that Russell, who’s set to make $31.4MM next season, can’t be part of a championship core on his current salary. Russell is set to enter unrestricted free agency in 2023, so Minnesota could try to get something in return for him before then or risk losing him on the open market. The team still doesn’t have an established presence at point guard behind Russell. In 65 starts this season, he averaged 18.1 points and 7.1 assists per game, shooting 41%.
- Sarah Todd of the Deseret News examines whether the Jazz will stay competitive in the West beyond this season. Utah lost its first-round series against Dallas in six games, raising questions about whether the team will keep Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert together. The Jazz have made the playoffs six straight seasons, but didn’t reach the conference finals once during that time.
- In a separate story for the Deseret News, Todd explores what the future may hold for Jazz forward Juancho Hernangomez. The 26-year-old was productive in his 17 regular-season games with Utah, averaging 6.2 points on 51% shooting from the floor and 44% shooting from deep. His minutes were limited in the playoffs, however. He scored a total of 14 points in 56 minutes against Dallas, shooting 5-of-18 (28%) from the floor.
Yes, trade DLo for 2 young players to upgrade
Yes, trade both Mitchell and Gobert for young players to upgrade
Ex
Mitchell for LaVine and Williams
Key word Upgrade
You are not getting two young players for Dlo unless they aren’t too highly regarded. Despite being on an expiring deal, he’s overpaid and not a great fit for a lot of teams.
He’s not a salary dump, but he’s also not someone who is going to get you a lot back.
My trade suggestion from earlier in the week
Jazz receive DLO, J Grant, and M Plumlee and a first round pick from hornets
Hornets receive Gobert
Twolves receive Conley and K Olynyk
Pistons receive G Hayward, J Bouknight, and J Mcdaniels and two first round picks, one from twolves, one from hornets
There’s no chance the wolves give up McDaniels and a first for Conley and Olynyk. That doesn’t make them any better. Might as well hang on to DLo at that point.
That trade makes no sense for Minnesota.
Conley is done and Kelly O is a stat guy
DLo is far better than Kelly O
McDaniel and a Wolves future First for Conley?
Not a bad idea at all.
I’d swap Hayward to the TWolves and Conley to the Pistons. Then removed the Pistons getting any extra picks. Lastly PJ Washington instead of McDaniels.
Jazz then line up
Dlo Spida Grant Bogi Plumblee
They could cut Plumblee and open up money to spend in FA where they could then go get Mitchell Robinson as the article says they have some interest in. Not to mention they also get a first round pick. I like Dlo next to Spida, both worked a lot with Chris Brickley and I’m sure have some kind of relationship and would works well. I love Grant coming over as a defender for them, that’s huge. Overall it takes pressure of Spida to score so much with Dlo, Grant and Bogi all capable of near enough 20 points per game.
Hornets this move fixes your biggest issue which is interior defence. You don’t get a good defender you get arguably the best interior defender. You lose Hayward who looks as good as gone anyways and you give up a first and Bouknight (who hasn’t worked out) and Washington (expiring deal). Couple decent losses but a huge addition.
TWolves don’t need Conley they have Beverly. Any moves to SG and Hayward can play SF. Olynyk gives the bench a stretch shooter or they can simply waive him. Not the best return but not at all awful.
Lastly Pistons, your only losing Jerami Grant and Okynyk yet your getting back a bunch of good pieces. Conley helps Cade develop as a playmaker, Bouknight is solid for the future, Washington on a 1 year deal gives you leverage in bringing back Bagley at a cheaper rate if your still interested.
Great deal for Jazz, Good deal for Hornets, alright deal for TWolves and great deal for Pistons
But does Juancho Hernangomez really love this game lol? He should take inspiration from his Hustle character.
He could be of some use for the Warriors. He’s like an athletic version of Nemanja Bjelica.
I think he just likes just getting tattoos and looking like a goof
Mavs- Dins Powell and Bullock fit like a glove salary wise for Rudy
Probably 2 firsts attached as well
Utah stays very fluid ledger wise but that’s never been a huge draw for them as free agency is typically tough on them
I think they’d like some longer contracts and continue churning rather than flexibility which will be tough for Dallas to facilitate. Cha or Chi run into the same problems as well here. Utah should find a strong market and have many packages to sift thru tho, the Dallas package above at least nets a profit on the ext and keeps them relevant…I think they’ll find better tho in the end
If the Jazz trade Gobert they become a lottery team and whoever he goes to will be in the finals. You read it here first.
Maybe
DLo is meh. He could be traded straight up for Ben Simmons tho.
I wouldn’t even trade MCW for Ben
why trade for a player who may never play?