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Minnesota Timberwolves: 5 potential trades for Nikola Mirotic

By Brian Sampson

Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – DECEMBER 10: Taj Gibson #67 of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks on before the game against the Dallas Mavericks on December 10, 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 10: Taj Gibson #67 of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks on before the game against the Dallas Mavericks on December 10, 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. Taj Gibson and Oklahoma City Thunder’s first round pick for Mirotic

I thought long and hard about adding Marcus Georges-Hunt into this trade to compensate for Gibson’s hefty contract, but I decided to exclude him because it would leave the Timberwolves even thinner on the wing.

Gibson has been playing great for Minnesota and he would immediately boost Chicago’s defense and possibly hopes at obtaining a playoff spot. They currently sit 5.5 games behind the last playoff team in the Eastern Conference so they still have their sights set on another winning streak to boost them closer.

Gibson would also provide some much-needed veteran leadership on the team, as Robin Lopez is the only player on the roster with more than five years of NBA experience on his resume.

For Minnesota, they would lose a huge piece in Gibson and their defense would unquestionably take a huge hit. However, the hope would be Towns can continue his improved play on that end of the floor and make up for some of the loss.

Thibodeau would also have a couple of options in Dieng, Bjelica or Mirotic to insert into the starting lineup. Mirotic would likely be the favorite and he would be a great floor spacer and present a different dynamic than the Wolves’ players are used to this season.

Any trade with Gibson is unlikely to happen because of the defensive reasons previously mentioned. However, Thibodeau needs to consider any proposal for Mirotic, as he’s proven to be a game-changer for the Bulls.

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