Dunking With Wolves
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Potential trades the Timberwolves should (or shouldn’t) pursue

By Justin Pinotti

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - NOVEMBER 24: The Minnesota Timberwolves make their way back on court as they play against the Miami Heat on November 24, 2017 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jordan Johnson/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - NOVEMBER 24: The Minnesota Timberwolves make their way back on court as they play against the Miami Heat on November 24, 2017 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jordan Johnson/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – DECEMBER 3: Jeff Teague #0 of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks on before the game against the LA Clippers on December 3, 2017 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – DECEMBER 3: Jeff Teague #0 of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks on before the game against the LA Clippers on December 3, 2017 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

5) Jeff Teague for Amir Johnson, T.J. McConnell and Justin Anderson

Why should the Wolves do it?

If I’m being honest, I’m not sure that they should. I’m not one who thinks Teague is a problem for the Wolves, but I acknowledge that he’s not the apple of most Wolves fans’ collective eye, and that it’s believable that Tyus Jones might actually be the best long term fit with the Butler/Wiggins/Towns core.

As I see it, there are two main issues with trading Teague.

First: Most teams in the league have a decent option at point guard option already. The Wolves found themselves in a similar scenario trying to move Ricky Rubio. It wasn’t that Ricky “wasn’t good”, it’s that he’s not a top-12 point guard, and thus when you’re in the “probably good but nothing special territory” that Teague and Ricky find themselves in, finding a good trade partner where you can get something back becomes challenging.

Second: I still think the Timberwolves need to get a point guard in return. While I would be fairly confident in handing the starter keys over to Tyus, one thing that is good about the Wolves’ current situation is that they can get 48 minutes of quality starting point guard play, and that’s nothing something I’m eager to trade out of.

Teague is by no means untouchable, however, so I wanted to find a trading that might work, if nothing else to see what our options are.

Philadelphia seems like a decent trading partner when it comes to Teague. I really like Teague when he plays more like a two-guard with point guard abilities (or a point guard with shooting guard instincts, whichever you prefer), and I think that’s a great fit with Ben Simmons.

What are the Timberwolves getting in return?

Amir Johnson: Mostly for cap space purposes. It appears Amir is not the player he once was, and many Philly fans are clamoring for young big Richaun Holmes to get more minutes. But that being said, I think, especially if the Wolves end up moving Nemanja Bjelica or Gorgui in a follow up deal (like one of the ones below), Johnson could be a good emergency fill-in in the event Taj or KAT have to miss a game.

TJ McConnell: I’m sure some stats bros will see this and be like “I’D TRADE JEFF TEAGUE FOR TJ MCCONNELL STRAIGHT UP” *amidst heavy mouth breathing*. McConnell is totally a fine backup point guard. I’d like him here for the same reasons Philly likes him…he’s kind of another Tyus, he fills in a lot of the gaps, but isn’t too ball-dominant, so he’d play well off of Butler/Wiggins/Towns. Plus, if we’re trading Teague, even for as good as I think Tyus could be….still need another PG, even if for emergency purposes.

Justin Anderson: I’ve always liked Anderson as a prospect, but admittedly it’s tough to say if he’s got any talent. He’s only getting 12 minutes a game, but he’s showing some okay things, an improve three point shot so far seems to be boosting his value.

He’s only -1.28 by Real Plus-Minus, and better he’s only -.28 on Defensive Real Plus-Minus. True, those numbers aren’t great, but ya know, he’s in his third year, he’s still a young guy with room to grow….I think he could grow into a good role wing off the bench (this is all over looking the fact he’d be a big upgrade over Bazz).

Being a team with three max salary players is a lot of fun, but it does require some creative moves on the margin. I’m not suggesting Anderson is the next Robert Covington or anything, but it’s moves like this you probably gotta make to find the next Robert Covington.

Second-Round Pick: Mostly cause I think the above return is a little light, and much like with Anderson we need assets that can net us cheap talent off the bench (or be used in future trades), so sure.

Half-assed justification for why the Sixers do this:

Teague is a pretty decent fit for the kind of team they want to have, he’s a playoff tested veteran, who’s probably best playing off a creator like Simmons, he can shoot, get his own shot and would be an upgrade. While they aren’t really trading anything of consequence to get him.

Would I do this?

Ehh, I don’t know. I think Teague has been good, and I like having 48 minutes of good point guard play, and I think there are less intense margin moves we could make that wouldn’t upset the apple cart too much and net a similarly positive return.

I’ll say this: I like some aspects of this trade, and if it were paired with one or two of the moves upcoming, I could be into it.

But building chemistry takes time, and I worry that moving Teague at this point would just lead to another 20 games of having to “get used to everyone” inconsistent play.