Rumors come and go and this one is probably going to have to leave someday as the possibility of this happening is less likely. Discussing it however is still pretty intriguing when you think more about it.
At the start of the 2012 NBA Off-Season much rumors surrounded the Timberwolves and the Los Angeles Lakers. Spanish forward Pau Gasol was rumored to be heading to the Twin Cities sometime this summer in exchange for forward Derrick Williams, last season’s 2nd overall pick, plus some other pieces.
Lately, the Timberwolves have been rumored to be on the hunt for another big man. The Timberwolves in the off-season thus far have already acquired forward Dante Cunningham and center Greg Stiemsma, who are both most likely to get some valuable minutes replacing starting big men, Nikola Pekovic and All-Star Kevin Love.
Minnesota, however, doesn’t seem that comfortable by having Dante Cunningham be that 2nd or 3rd guy off the bench in the big man position as he hasn’t really deserved much playing time.
Now the Timberwolves have been rumored to have shown interest with Cleveland Cavaliers forward Anderson Varejao, one of the most active/annoying big men in the game today. Varejao is quite simply the most liked player in Cleveland since LeBron James left even though Kyrie Irving had the spotlight last season. The Brazilian forward is very much popular at the Q and his presence with the Wolves will be pretty effective.
Varejao can certainly bring some energy off the bench for the Timberwolves and alongside J.J Barea possibly and Greg Stiemsma, grittiness will become a normality for the Timberwolves bench. Defensively, Varejao is one of the better inside defenders in the game with his efficiency in taking charges and most of all getting loose balls and giving his team another shot at the hoop.
However, all of those things stated above are just a dream. I would definitely love to have Varejao on the Timberwolves and I can see him as one of the bigger pieces for the Wolves to take another step forward other than just simply making the playoffs, to which they are on the hunt right now.
In exchange for Varejao, unfortunately, the Wolves will be sending off point guard Luke Ridnour and Derrick Williams. Derrick Williams again? Yes, it seems as if the Timberwolves don’t see any potential in the young forward who pretty much has a bright future alongside Ricky Rubio. The two will definitely be a combo some day and it will be a dream for Wolves fans and a nightmare for the rest of the league.
Luke Ridnour last season had his best season in his NBA career and at this point I don’t see why we should get rid of him. I understand that the Wolves are heavily packed in the guard position with Rubio and newly acquired Brandon Roy most likely starting while Barea and Russian guard Alexey Shved. Luke Ridnour however could be that mentor for these young guards specifically on Rubio and Shved who have little experience of minor success or even playing the the NBA for quite sometime.
To me, in my opinion, if this is how the trading block is supposed to be in reality, I wouldn’t go for it. Ridnour is one of the better scorers for the team and Williams is still a question mark whether or not he can take his game to an NBA level, but he has potential and the assets though. Yes, Varejao will be solid piece for the Timberwolves especially coming off the bench, but the players the Wolves have to give up are just not right. I’m fine with sending Ridnour alone, but just not Williams.
Seriously David Kahn, don’t get rid of Derrick Williams … yet.
A team executive from Minnesota claims that no conversations about the rumored deal has taken place.