Should the Timberwolves make any deadline deals?

With recent reports claiming Shabazz Muhammad wants out of Minnesota, what other moves should the Timberwolves consider before this week’s trade deadline?

It has been reported that Shabazz Muhammad has requested to be traded or released by this Thursday’s NBA trade deadline. This request doesn’t come as a major surprise, as Muhammad has been out of Tom Thibodeau’s rotation for some time now.

With Muhammad’s request public, one has to wonder if this will be the only move the Wolves make at the deadline. If so, they are still in good position to make a run in the playoffs. Everyone on the team is clicking and their defense has greatly improved.

However, the Wolves still have some areas of concern that could be filled. Their main search should be looking for 3-point shooting help.

The Wolves are shooting just over 35 percent as a team from beyond the arc. Additionally, they attempt the second-least threes per game in the league at 21.9. Only the New York Knicks shoot less threes per game.

3-point Shooting Help

There’s one name that would be quite interesting if the Wolves can work out a deal: Lou Williams.

The Los Angeles Clippers have already started their rebuilding mode by shipping Blake Griffin to the Detroit Pistons. It has been rumored that they may not stop there.

The 31-year-old is shooting above his career mark from three this season; he has connected on 38 percent of his 3-point shots and has averaged 2.8 makes on 7.4 attempts per game. He is also logging a career-high in minutes (32.5) and points per game (23.4).

Sure, this would force the Wolves to play small off the bench. However, how sweet would it be to pair Williams with Jamal Crawford and Tyus Jones? That would immediately improve the Wolves’ overall 3-point shooting.

Now, let’s look at the cost. It’s fair to assume that the Clippers would want the Wolves’ first-round pick for this June’s draft, which came from the Utah Jazz via the Oklahoma City Thunder for Ricky Rubio.

Would Muhammad be apart of the deal? Quite possibly. However, it would really depend on how young the Clippers are looking to shop for and what positions they would like.

Aaron Brooks, Marcus Georges-Hunt, Nemanja Bjelica and maybe Cole Aldrich could be on the move this deadline.

Aldrich could go if the Clippers look to add more big man defense after sending Griffin to the Pistons. Georges-Hunt has shown growth this season as he has been productive in his minutes this season. If those names aren’t enough, the Wolves could always offer more future picks.

If they have a chance to get Williams, they should do whatever they can in order to do just that.

Another player who wants out of his current situation is 31-year-old point guard George Hill. Reports claim Hill has been growing frustrated with the Sacramento Kings as he thought the team would be more competitive this season.

Why not come to Minnesota where the team is competitive for the first time in a long time?

Hill is tied for first in the NBA in 3-point percentage at 45.2 percent, having made 56 of 124 attempts. He may not cost as much either in terms of players as the Kings may just be looking for more picks.

Again, it Hill would most likely cost the Wolves their first-round pick this season. Which, for what the Wolves need, would be worth it. Plus, Hill would be under contract with the Wolves for two more seasons after this one. Therefore, he wouldn’t be just a rental player. Unlike Williams whose contact expires after this season.

The main issue with acquiring Hill, of course, is that he’s a point guard, and the Wolves have a pair of good ones in Jeff Teague and Jones. But Hill’s the best 3-point shooter of the group, and therefore could be the best fit moving forward.

Either way they go, this should be the Wolves’ main focus if they make any moves.

Rebounding

The only other area where there are red flags is the Wolves inconsistent rebounding. They rank 22nd in the league averaging 41.8 rebounds per game. They are 27th in defensive rebounds per game, averaging 31.2.

This comes as somewhat of a surprise, as Karl-Anthony Towns is fifth in the league averaging 12.2 rebounds per game. But he can’t keep doing it alone.

DeAndre Jordan is the biggest name among big men on the market. However, this would cost the Wolves way too much and force them to change course past midseason.

Kenneth Faried has been a monster on the boards ever since he entered the league, but has grown frustrated with the Denver Nuggets thanks to his lack of minutes. With the Wolves, he could enter a role where comes off the bench next to Gorgui Dieng, unlike Jordan would.

Another dark horse that the Wolves could shop for is Jonas Valanciunas of the Toronto Raptors. They have an abundance of big men, and Valanciunas is averaging a career low 21.7 minutes per game. Even still, he is in the top-20 in the league in rebounding, averaging just over eight boards per game.

The 25-year-old is also under contract for a couple more seasons. Therefore, he too wouldn’t be just a rental player. His cost, however, would be higher than Faried’s.

Of course, Valanciunas would add more scoring off the bench for the Wolves, which they sorely need.

It’ll be interesting to see if the Wolves make any moves with the team chemistry seeming good as of right now. They may just stay put, besides potentially granting Muhammad his request.

Next: Karl-Anthony Towns has become a rebounding monster

However, if they decide to make a move or two, those areas and players should be at the top of their list.