Minnesota Timberwolves: 5 Trade Ideas for Gorgui Dieng

Minnesota Timberwolves Receive: Eric Gordon

New York Knicks Receive: Evan Turner, Gorgui Dieng, Houston Rocket’s 2019 first round pick

Houston Rockets Receive: Carmelo Anthony

Portland Trailblazers Receive: Trevor Ariza, Isaiah Taylor

Okay, deep breath…are you ready? It’s going to get crazy, but bare with me. I’ll explain why all four teams want to do this trade.

The Timberwolves will accept their end of the trade because of Gordon’s ability to score the ball. It would only clear up $2 million dollars but it’s still $2 million more then they have now. Especially with the team lacking any sort of money.

But Gordon has the ability to shoot the ball. At 28-years-old, he averaged 16 points a game, about 2 assists and rebounds, and shot 37 percent from deep. He shot the  3-ball 8 times a game and still managed the 37 percent. Did I mention he won the 3-point contest this year?

Just take a look at this year’s six man of the year three-point stats.

Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table

This is exactly what the team needs. This also gives them the ability to sign a solid backup power forward with the rest of the money left.

The New York Knicks have been the center of talks with the idea of Carmelo Anthony wanting to get traded.

This gives the team the ability to hit the reset button.

They will receive two young players and a first round pick. Evan Turner (28) and Dieng (27) will be great additions to the team. Courtney Lee isn’t going to be apart of the future much longer so you might as well start somewhere. All of the sudden with this trade, the team’s future is a lot brighter. You’re seeing a team with Tim Hardaway Jr., newly pick Frank Ntilikina, Kristsaps Porzingis, Gorgui Dieng and two first round picks counting their first rounder and the one they are receiving.

Houston’s side is easy to see. They want Carmelo Anthony and that’s who they get in this trade. It’s as simple as that. Giving Houston a scary Chris Paul-James Harden-Anthony starting line-up.

Now let’s look at Portland’s side of things. It’s no secret that Portland is struggling because they have no cap space available. They trade Evan Turner because his contract is too expensive for them to handle – a deal with 3-years remaining and about $17 million per year.

Receiving a cheaper contract with Trevor Ariza allows the team to open up a lot more cap space. Out if this trade, they should free up close to $10 million. Ariza is a better player then Turner which already is a plus for this team. Adding Isiah Taylor is more of a money balance thing, but it’s not a bad thing for Portland. Considering they have no backup point guard behind Damian Lillard, because Shabazz Napier never see’s court time.