Dunking With Wolves
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Minnesota Timberwolves: Top Five Most Likely Players to be Traded

By Ben Beecken

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Feb 6, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Thaddeus Young (33) brings the ball across center court in the third quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies at Target Center. The Wolves won 90-89 over the Grizzlies. Mandatory Credit: Marilyn Indahl-USA TODAY Sports

#1 – Thaddeus Young

Young was acquired for a flipped first-round pick from the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Kevin Love–Andrew Wiggins deal this past August. While Saunders has been raked over the coals for handing over a first-round pick for a player who is best-suited as a third or fourth-wheel for a playoff team.

I haven’t had a problem with acquiring Young, but not necessarily for the same reason as Saunders. It was painted as a move that could give the Wolves a snowball’s chance in hell at competing for a playoff shot, but even Saunders couldn’t have believed that in the stacked Western Conference.

But at this point, the Wolves are already looking ahead. Saunders acquired Adreian Payne from Atlanta last week, so Minnesota obviously thinks highly of the rookie power forward. Anthony Bennett is still on the roster and is owed a lot of money next year. There isn’t room for all three players, and Young will be the easiest to move and command the most in return.

As with Budinger, Young has a player option for next season that complicates trade talks in a big way. His cap hit will be over $9.9 million if he opts in, and with his up-and-down season, it seems unlikely that he’ll make much more money over many more years in the open market. It’s anyone’s guess what he does, and it might depend on what team he’s on and how he finishes the season will certainly factor in as well.

Some interested teams might want Young at that number — the Wolves were obviously comfortable with it when they traded for him, although they might not be anymore. Most, however, won’t think he’s worth nearly $10 million (they’d be right), and it would hinder a deal from getting done.

All that said, he’s the most attractive trade chip on the team. He could start for some playoff teams and be a huge bench piece for any title contender. Because of that, he’s the most likely player on the Wolves’ roster to be moved in the coming days.

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