Just like they did in the 2017 NBA Draft, could the Minnesota Timberwolves pull of a major trade on draft night next week?
The 2019 NBA Draft is next week, and the Minnesota Timberwolves have the opportunity to make a major splash. One way of doing this would be making a draft night trade.
It seems every year, the night of the NBA Draft is one of the hottest times for player movement. Just in the past few years, players like Zach Lavine, Jimmy Butler, Victor Oladipo, Serge Ibaka and many others have been traded on the night of the draft. While it isn’t extremely common that high-profile names like that are traded, it does happen. Could the Timberwolves make another draft night trade like they did in 2017 to acquire Jimmy Butler?
One player who could be involved in trade talks on draft night this year is Jeff Teague. At 31 years old, Teague is a player who is still extremely productive although he isn’t the same player he once was.
Last season, in just 42 games played, he averaged 12.1 points and 8.2 assists on 33.3 percent 3-point shooting. Those types of numbers are mediocre for a starting point guard and I see the remainder of Teague’s career projecting as more of a backup player.
After seeing teams like the Boston Celtics and Oklahoma City Thunder succeed with above-average backup point guards to run their second unit, other teams may see Jeff Teague as an attractive trade target.
Set to make $19 million next season in the final year of his deal, Teague is also an expiring contract which would help a team open up cap space next summer.
If the Timberwolves are able to trade for a younger player that makes less money or a pick, this would also be a step in the right direction for clearing space to bring in other free agents to Minnesota this offseason.
Would a team like the Boston Celtics who have three first-round picks be willing to give one up for an experienced player like Teague? With their uncertainty on the future of Kyrie Irving and Terry Rozier, Teague could be an insurance policy. He could be an average starter or above average bench player for Boston next season.
Another option would be finding a team like the Phoenix Suns who are in desperate need of a point guard. Would a team like that be willing to give up one of their younger pieces that aren’t working out in order to get their young star, like Devin Booker, immediate help?
Using leverage against teams on draft night who are desperate for point guard depth is something that Minnesota could truly use to their advantage. Any team that is looking to select a point guard in the draft and misses their chance may be intrigued by a deal involving Teague as a temporary fix.
Although I wouldn’t recommend packaging Minnesota’s No. 11 overall pick with Teague unless the return is extremely high, the Timberwolves do have a second round pick they could use to sweeten a trade package involving him. He will be their third highest paid player next season, and shedding his contract would make Minnesota’s offseason much easier to work with.