4. Timberwolves keep the No. 7 pick
With only a couple days to go until the NBA Draft, the trade rumors are beginning to pick up steam. Most recently, Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Timberwolves and Chicago Bulls have begun preliminary trade talks involving Jimmy Butler.
Sources: Chicago’s price for Jimmy Butler remains elevated, but Minnesota has assets and interest. Sides made preliminary contact this week.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 19, 2017
This, of course, would be awesome for Timberwolves’ fans if it ever happened. Unfortunately, I don’t believe that Minnesota has a realistic chance of acquiring Butler. Maybe it’s the pessimist in me but these trades are often rumored but rarely happen.
There are too many moving pieces and too much on the line for a trade of this magnitude to happen. Especially in three days. There’s also the roadblock of Tom Thibodeau and his relationship with the Bulls’ upper management and owners. Does Chicago really want to trade their best player to Thibs?
There’s also thought that Minnesota wants to trade down from No. 7 in order to acquire a mid-first-round pick and a veteran player who can help them off the bench. I see too many barriers to this sort of trade happening as there isn’t a great fit amongst the teams picking No. 11-15.
The Denver Nuggets might be a good fit if they send No. 13 and Wilson Chandler to Minnesota in exchange for the number seven overall pick. However, I think that is too much for Denver to give up and I don’t think they’ll ever bite.
This is why I’m making my second bold prediction by saying the Timberwolves will stand pat and draft from their seventh spot.