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Minnesota Timberwolves: 2 trades for a superstar point guard

By Trey Flynn

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 16: John Wall #2 of the Washington Wizards brings the ball up court against Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers on March 16, 2015 at the Verizon Center in Washington, DC. 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 2015 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 16: John Wall #2 of the Washington Wizards brings the ball up court against Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers on March 16, 2015 at the Verizon Center in Washington, DC. 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 2015 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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PORTLAND, OR – MARCH 1: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers shoots a free throw during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on March 1, 2018 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. 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 Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR – MARCH 1: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers shoots a free throw during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on March 1, 2018 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. 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 Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images) /

While this trade doesn’t provide much depth at the small forward position for the Minnesota Timberwolves, it will definitely add some wins to have three superstars running up the court every night.

The Portland Trailblazers have been rumored to be quietly shopping Damian Lillard because he “wants” to leave Portland. Lillard has been adamant about wanting to stay with the franchise, but somehow these rumors keep coming up – we’re assuming its hearsay like the Butler nonsense.

Regardless, the Blazers would get a young stud in Andrew Wiggins who can help them as a strong wing to have on both ends of the court. Point guard Jeff Teague is a nice fit next to CJ McCollum, and the Gorgui Dieng move was a simple swap to get rid of a much lesser big man in Meyers Leonard.

Why do the Blazers let go of their First Team All-NBA point guard? Not just because of the potential in Andrew Wiggins, but the Timberwolves throw in two unprotected first round picks.

Which how I’ve stated before, would sell any deal in this type of cap market.

The Minnesota Timberwolves have had their rumored issues with Andrew Wiggins and Jimmy Butler on and off the court, while I believe them to be false, it’s still not something either of them have come out and said were untrue. Head coach Tom Thibodeau is going to stay with his guy Butler to the end, so we see Wiggins, Teague, and Dieng get the boot.

Losing Wiggins is huge, but the addition of getting an efficient 3-and-D wing with Maurice Harkless is a good pick up if you’re getting one of the best players in the NBA with Damian Lillard.

Next: Where will the Timberwolves rank in the Eastern Conference

Lillard is questionably the best player out of Jimmy Butler and Karl-Anthony Towns, I would argue that he’s actually a top-ten player right now – so this move would be enormous for Minnesota.

Why might this trade not happen?

Portland may feel they aren’t getting enough in return to win right now. But lets be honest, they aren’t building this team to win anything right now. So something needs to change, and getting a young asset in Wiggins and two potential young assets in those draft picks is a big deal.

While this move may prove to be advantageous for the Timberwolves, I personally like the John Wall deal more. Even though Lillard has proven to be more of a dominant superstar this past season, I believe Wall has a lot left in the tank and that keeping Wiggins would is pivotal in that trade.

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