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Minnesota Timberwolves: 10 advantageous Andrew Wiggins trades

By Trey Flynn

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 5: Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks on during the game against the Charlotte Hornets on December 5, 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 - DECEMBER 5: Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks on during the game against the Charlotte Hornets on December 5, 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) /
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ATLANTA, GA – JANUARY 29: Kent Bazemore #24 of the Atlanta Hawks draws a foul from Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Minnesota Timberwolves at Philips Arena on January 29, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. 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. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – JANUARY 29: Kent Bazemore #24 of the Atlanta Hawks draws a foul from Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Minnesota Timberwolves at Philips Arena on January 29, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. 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. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Trade No. 1 – Atlanta Hawks

The Minnesota Timberwolves send Andrew Wiggins and Gorgui Dieng to the Atlanta Hawks in return for Kent Bazemore, Jeremy Lin, and Alex Len.

With no draft picks included, this deal could be a pretty smooth transition.

The Hawks desperately need a scorer that has the potential to lead the youth in Atlanta, they could potentially take that chance on Wiggins. After this upcoming draft in the summer of 2019, the Hawks will most likely be done “tanking” and start to build a solid young roster.

With this deal, the projected starting lineup for the Hawks looks like this:

  • PG, Trae Young
  • SG, Kevin Huerter
  • SF, Andrew Wiggins
  • PF, John Collins
  • C, Dwyane Dedmon

With the a bunch of young role players off the bench, and the potential top 5-7 pick this summer, the Hawks could be looking like the current surprise that is the Sacramento Kings over in the west next season.

The Wolves get back lesser contracts (for the most part), and they also get a deeper team to build around.

Kent Bazemore is a reliable player in this league, and what he lacks in cap relief, he makes up for in leadership and gritty play. The acquisition of Jeremy Lin spreads the floor more off the bench and also allows the Wolves’ to comfortably move Jeff Teague. As for Alex Len, the switch between him and Gorgui Dieng is the most important part of this deal, the Wolves get their cap relief and forgo a draft pick from Atlanta for that reason.

Overall, this move isn’t quite linear, but also doesn’t move the bar too far for either side – it’s well worth it, especially for the Hawks. As for Minny, clearing up that cap space is the real reason you make this move. Especially because Lin has 6 months left on his contract, and the Wolves would owe Bazemore/Len $20 million for only one season next year.

Our next trade has to do with one of the more dramatic franchises in the league.

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