3 shooters the Minnesota Timberwolves should target via trade

Trade #2 – San Antonio blows it up, trades Forbes

Most casual NBA fans are probably wondering who this guy is and why he is on your screen.

But if the Minnesota front office acquired Bryn Forbes, I would be over the moon. A former undrafted free agent signing out of Michigan State, Forbes quickly worked his way up the ladder in the Spurs organization and became a full-time NBA rotation mainstay by the end of his rookie season.

Since then, he’s been excellent in his role as a 3-point sniper. In two full seasons, he has shot 39  and 42.6 percent from 3, respectively, and earned an increased role in Gregg Popovich’s offense.

Forbes started 81 games last season, averaging 11.8 points on 45.6/42.6/88.5 shooting splits, 2.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 0.5 steals per game. He got up five trey-balls per contest, and improved just about every facet of his game.

Unfortunately for the Spurs, he has not been able to replicate his efficiency from last season, shooting just 39.9 percent from the floor and 35 percent from deep on 6.9 triggers per night. He is still averaging 12.9 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 0.5 steals, but his struggles have translated to the defensive end, where is posting a career-worst defensive rating of 117.

In what has become a dumpster fire season for the Spurs (I cannot believe I am typing this), the team will likely move on from Demar DeRozan and LaMarcus Aldridge, and would probably listen to offers for anyone other than Dejounte Murray.

Note: this trade could not be executed until Dec. 15, again because of Vonleh.

I think the Spurs would be interested in this trade for a few reasons. One, Pop would love a guy like Treveon Graham. He is a good defender, gives great effort and does what a coach asks him to do. Two, the Spurs have gotten killed up front all year long and Vonleh would go a long way in helping them on the glass and as a post defender against smaller 5s or bigger 4s.

Lastly, it’s doubtful they will want to pay Forbes a contract he deserves when he becomes a free agent at the end of the season.

Some might scoff at my idea of giving up both Vonleh and Graham, but what Forbes brings to the offense far outweighs anything Noah and TG have done this season. Forbes would be an immediate shooting upgrade that can play alongside both a bigger or smaller PG, similar to Shabazz Napier.

He can create enough offense where I would trust him playing with the bench, but he could very well take Graham’s spot in the starting lineup, instantly create space for everyone else on the floor and give KAT a deadeye shooter to find when he sees doubles down on the block. Forbes is also great at moving without the ball and would do an excellent job relocating to find open space on the floor and get shot-ready when Wiggs drives to the basket and feels the defense collapsing.