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3 shooters the Minnesota Timberwolves should target via trade

By Jack Borman

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - NOVEMBER 16: Treveon Graham #12 of the Minnesota Timberwolves shoots a free throw during a game against the Houston Rockets on November 16, 2019 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - NOVEMBER 16: Treveon Graham #12 of the Minnesota Timberwolves shoots a free throw during a game against the Houston Rockets on November 16, 2019 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Minnesota Timberwolves, Nemanja Bjelica
WASHINGTON, DC –  NOVEMBER 24: Nemanja Bjelica #88 of the Sacramento Kings shoots the ball against the Washington Wizards. Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Trade 1: B3li comes home

Since leaving the Wolves for the Sacramento Kings, Nemanja Bjelica has shot the lights out.

He has connected on 40.5 percent of his 4.3 attempts per game, while grabbing 6.1 rebounds and scoring 9.8 points per contest in his 94 games as a King.

Bjelica is a terrific spot-up shooting big who is more than capable of holding his own on the glass while playing competent defense that is unlikely to be exploited by opposing offenses. The former EuroLeague MVP would thrive in Minnesota’s motion offense that prominently features bigs handing off to guards and wings, picking and popping, and making defenses pay by slipping screens for easy buckets at the rim.

In a system where Wiggins’s driving ability requires bigs to clear out to the corners and make shots, having consistently good corner shooters is a huge plus for the offense. KBD’s impact has been felt significantly since his reintroduction to the Wolves rotation, and bringing Bjeli home would yield a similar result.

Bjelica is shooting 60 percent from the right corner, 40 percent from the left corner, and 40.4 percent from above the break.

So what would it take to bring him back? Let’s take a look.

Note: this trade also includes the Kings receiving a 2021 second-round pick and could not be executed until Dec. 15 due to Noah Vonleh and Trevor Ariza‘s status as free agents who signed over the summer.

Making this trade work would be tough from a financial standpoint, because the Wolves do not have any assets they are willing to part with that are paid anywhere from $4 million to $10 million per season. However, the Kings do have a $4.77 million trade exception that could be used to take in a guy like Gorgui, whose contract is greater than his on-court value, and receive a first-round pick in the process.

Sacramento has a ton of power forwards, but only one true center in Dewayne Dedmon. Gorgui would provide depth up front and become a tradable asset after the season.

Ariza has not made much of an impact for the Kings this season, appearing in just 11 contests, averaging 4.2 points on 35.7/37.5/80.0 shooting splits while grabbing 3.5 rebounds per game. His defending on the wing would fit well in the Minnesota second unit and he is still a plus 3-point shooter that would help extend the defense, unlike Trevon Graham.

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