Minnesota Timberwolves: 5 potential trades for Nikola Mirotic

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DALLAS, TX – NOVEMBER 17: Nemanja Bjelica #8 of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks on against the Dallas Mavericks on November 17, 2017 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. 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 Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images) /

3. Nemanja Bjelica, Cole Aldrich and the Thunder’s first for Mirotic.

If the Bulls would ever go for this trade, which I’d have serious doubts about, it would be the best for the Timberwolves personnel-wise.

They’d get to keep both Gibson and Dieng, minimizing any affect Mirotic would have on their already porous defense. They’d also get rid of Aldrich who’s rotting on the bench-he’d basically be a buy-out player for the Bulls next season.

Bjelica would also be a cheaper option for Chicago, although he’s a free agent this summer. The good news for Chicago is Thibodeau didn’t play him very often during his hot start and he’s played poorly since his return from injury so his stock is very low.

Mirotic would basically step in for Bjelica, as they are very similar type of players. Having both of them on a roster might even be redundant. However, hopefully, Mirotic would see the floor a lot more often than the man he’d replace.

The Thunder’s lottery-protected first round pick is pretty much a non-negotiable in any trade at this point. It sweetens the pot for the Timberwolves, as they aren’t able to fully meet Chicago’s needs with any of these trades. The pick is also losing value every day, as Oklahoma City is starting to pull things together.

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