Trading for Jimmy Butler changes a lot of things for the Wolves. Their timeline has shifted; They can look forward to making a playoff splash this season.
If you had asked me a week ago which free-agents the Timberwolves should chase, there is no way I would have answered with these two players. They are great players but did not fit the timeline of the Wolves. The acquisition of Jimmy Butler has changed the Wolves short-term along with their long-term.
Whilst, even with the lower than expected cap projection, the Wolves can still clear enough space to sign a high-level free agent.
George Hill
With three ball-dominant players taking up a lot of the opportunities, you can see Ricky Rubio in two ways. Either he is a valuable asset because he plays pass-first and will give the ‘big three’ good shots, or he will be a negative contributor due to his hit-and-miss outside shooting.
Jon Krawczynski has stated that the Wolves are looking to see it as the former.
Scott Layden just seemed to indicate to @PAOnTheMic and @PaulCharchian that Wolves are looking to keep Rubio.
— Jon Krawczynski (@JonKrawczynski) June 23, 2017
Whilst Mitch Lawrence has reason to believe that the front office sees otherwise.
Now with Jimmy Butler, T-wolves think they can upgrade PG in free agency. Targeting Kyle Lowry first, then Jrue Holiday, J Teague and G Hill
— Mitch Lawrence (@Mitch_Lawrence) June 23, 2017
If Lawrence is right and the Wolves are looking to upgrade the point guard, then George Hill is the best fit of the three.
By trading for the rights to point guard, Donovan Mitchell in the draft, the Jazz may have shown their hand in their outlook in Gordon Hayward and George Hill’s free-agency. If Hayward leaves Utah, then Hill becomes redundant in the Jazz’s plans.
If we assume that Hayward, and in turn, Hill leaves, the 31-year-old point guard would be a great fit in Minnesota. He is a perfect complimentary player for a team with three players who demand the ball.
Equally suited to playing on and off-ball, Hill is a great point guard in the modern NBA. Furthermore, he is a great defender who will fit into the developing culture in the twin-cities. Tyus Jones will be the backup next season, regardless and will be able to mold his game after Hill’s
Paul Millsap
Depending on who you ask, and on what day, the power forward position is the first and last priority in recruiting.
Regardless, the thirty-two-year-old Millsap looks destined to leave Atlanta. With the team trading away Dwight Howard for next to nothing, the Hawks look destined to build around youth.
A sign-and-trade is rumored, but that would need suitors to give up assets for a contract that will be a burden towards the end of the deal. Paying top dollar for a 37-year-old Millsap is potentially enough of a poisoned chalice without giving assets to do it.
Whilst there are other enticing offers on the table such as the Rockets, Millsap would be an extremely fun fit in Minnesota. His fit defensively with Karl-Anthony Towns will be incredibly beneficial to the front court. Millsap can also space the floor on offense, stretching his range over the past few seasons.
A frontcourt of Millsap and Towns is offensively and defensively versatile enough to trouble any side in the league. The Timberwolves will already be a mismatch nightmare for opponents, adding Millsap will make the Wolves one of the hardest teams to plan for. We have seen how beneficial it is being a mismatch side throughout the regular season, with sides like the Rockets taking advantage.
However, unlike the Rockets, the Timberwolves’ advantage would also run into the post-season. Clutch players on offense and defense like Butler and Millsap could blow the top off the expectations for the Wolves in the coming seasons.
Next: 5 free agents the Timberwolves should sign
Honorable Mentions:
The following is a list of complimentary pieces that would fit well on the roster.
PJ Tucker, JaMychal Green, Taj Gibson, Patty Mills, CJ Miles