Minnesota Timberwolves: Trade Deadline Grades

Jan 31, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Gary Neal (12) during the game against the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Traded Mo Williams and Troy Daniels to Charlotte for Gary Neal and a 2019 second-round draft pick

Trading away Mo Williams was inevitable. The Wolves ultimately pulled the trigger nine days prior to the deadline, throwing in sharpshooter Troy Daniels, who was acquired in mid-December along with two protected second-round picks from Houston in exchange for Corey Brewer and Ronny Turiaf‘s contract.

Again, there’s no way of knowing what other teams were offering for Williams. We do know that the following teams were interested:

It’s tough to argue that any of the above could have offered much more than second-round picks in exchange, so we can’t fault Saunders for taking what he could get.

It was disappointing to see Daniels moved, especially since the Wolves received back a similar player in Gary Neal who also happens to be much older. Apparently the Hornets were insistent on getting Daniels, and the Wolves were okay with opening up another roster spot.

The pick won’t be conveyed until 2019, and Neal is a free agent after this season. Hopefully Saunders will be able to see how valuable having a three-point specialist off the bench to play short minutes with Ricky Rubio will be in spacing the floor and it will encourage the Wolves’ front office to work to acquire a similar player for the future.

It’s impossible to dislike this move, and if nothing else the Wolves will end up with an extra second-round pick in 2019.

Grade: B+

Next: Grading the Adreian Payne Trade