Dunking With Wolves
Fansided

Minnesota Timberwolves: 3 sensible in-house contract moves

By Trey Flynn

HOUSTON, TX - APRIL 25: Head Coach Tom Thibodeau of the Minnesota Timberwolves speaks to the media after Game Five of the Western Conference Quarterfinals against the Houston Rockets during the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 25, 2018 at the Toyota Center in Houston, 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - APRIL 25: Head Coach Tom Thibodeau of the Minnesota Timberwolves speaks to the media after Game Five of the Western Conference Quarterfinals against the Houston Rockets during the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 25, 2018 at the Toyota Center in Houston, 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – APRIL 21: Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Taj Gibson #67 of the Minnesota Timberwolves speak during the game against the Houston Rockets in Game Three of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 21, 2018 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jordan Johnson/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – APRIL 21: Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Taj Gibson #67 of the Minnesota Timberwolves speak during the game against the Houston Rockets in Game Three of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 21, 2018 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jordan Johnson/NBAE via Getty Images) /

This move would hurt the most as a Timberwolves’ fan. Wolves power foward, Taj Gibson, has been anything but a liability for the Wolves this season, but he’s making an obscene amount of money for someone who will most likely be gone after his contract is up during the summer of 2019. For that reason, Taj and his $14 million dollar contract have to go, ASAP.

Gibson did play 82 games for the Timberwolves this year, and was arguably more effective than Andrew Wiggins. Although, the potential isn’t there with him anymore, and a contender or rebuilding team could utilize his savvy veteran leadership, just as the Timberwolves did this past season. Gibson arguably averaged his best numbers in over five seasons, therefore making him more of a commodity than Gorgui Dieng, or frankly most of the team outside of the core three.

There is definitely more to get out of a trade for Taj Gibson than Gorgui Dieng, so what would be the right offer? Let’s assume that some teams like the Toronto Raptors, Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat, and other playoff hopeful teams call for Gibson. What can they offer? Draft picks, which are a hot commodity more than ever.

This may have to wait till trade deadline of next season. For example, we saw this with Bojan Bogdanovic, who got traded from the Brooklyn Nets for a first round pick. That is the kind of trade we can see coming from the Timberwolves front office with Taj Gibson, most likely a 2020-21 first round draft pick.

Getting rid of close to over $30 million in cap to get rid of two big men who will prove to have zero value in the coming seasons? This is an easy move, right? The Chance of this move happening are actually pretty high, Taj Gibson is one of the more respected veterans around the league, and the teams who can’t buy any All-Star free agents will need to rent some talent for playoff hopes.