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Minnesota Timberwolves: 3 Potential Robert Covington Trades

By Tyler Metcalf

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JANUARY 27: Robert Covington #33 of the Minnesota Timberwolves celebrates after hitting a three point shot against the Sacramento Kings in the second quarter of the game at Target Center on January 27, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JANUARY 27: Robert Covington #33 of the Minnesota Timberwolves celebrates after hitting a three point shot against the Sacramento Kings in the second quarter of the game at Target Center on January 27, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) /
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Minnesota Timberwolves
PORTLAND, OREGON – DECEMBER 21: Anfernee Simons #1 of the Portland Trail Blazers handles the ball in the first quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves during their game at Moda Center on December 21, 2019 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 (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

Portland Trail Blazers

Trading with the Trail Blazers could go a couple of ways, but here is the first option:

Timberwolves get:

Blazers get:

The Trail Blazers’ lack of wing production has been evident since Damian Lillard joined the league. Now that Lillard is playing Hall of Fame-level basketball and they are only 1.5 games out of the eighth seed, the addition of Covington would instantly add a consistent wing shooter and a top-level wing defender to their roster.

Taking on Dieng in the deal will help fill the hole left by Whiteside, and the Blazers may be getting one of their prominent big men back from injury soon. Gorgui has been very good defensively this year, and his ability to space the floor will open the lane for their guards to make plays.

The main benefit for the Wolves in this transaction is the acquisition of Anfernee Simons.

Simons is a very promising young point guard who can create on offense. Simons ranks in the 63rd percentile in points per possession (PPP) as the pick-and-roll ball-handler, the 63rd percentile in isolation, and the 97th percentile as a cutter, per Synergy. On top of that, his PPP when passing out of the pick-and-roll is in the 76th percentile.

The impact of Simons may not be immediately felt, but he has an extremely high ceiling while being a productive player right away. He would bring a sense of creativity and youth to an offense that can get stale and stagnant.

What holds me up about this trade is the inclusion of Whiteside. Whiteside has played some solid minutes for the Trail Blazers this season, but I generally view him as a toxic player that you don’t want to add to your team. By including him though, the Timberwolves would be acquiring a $27 million contract that would expire after this season.

The other option for this trade was to exclude Dieng and replace Whiteside with Jusuf Nurkic. I prefer this move for the Timberwolves, but the Trail Blazers like Nurkic and I believe they would be very hesitant to include him as he is approaching his return to the floor.

This trade provides the Timberwolves with a massive expiring contract, a young point guard who has shown immense potential, and a first-round pick.

If you’re not sold on this particular trade, let’s look at another option including the Pacers.

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