Power Forward
Trade for one of the Orlando Magic forwards
The top objective this summer for Rosas is to nail the Karl-Anthony Towns’ frontcourt mate. There have been many different skill-sets and types of players that have played alongside KAT, but none have been able to stick.
Juan Hernangomez will be a restricted free agent but may be too expensive to bring back. If the Wolves can get him for a discount, they should sign him. However, he fits best as a power forward off the bench who can drain threes.
The free agency class this summer is underwhelming and the power forwards who could slot in next to KAT, like Danilo Gallinari and Jerami Grant, do not fit into the Wolves timeline and are probably out of their price range.
The draft has some interesting pieces that could possibly fit next to Towns, and the Wolves should consider drafting one with their Nets pick. However, trading for a power forward would be the Wolves’ best option, and the two top candidates to share the frontcourt with KAT happen to both play for the Magic.
Currently, the Magic currently have an overcrowded frontcourt. This means that they could possibly be looking to move on from either Jonathan Isaac or Aaron Gordon. The Wolves need to take advantage of this and try and pry one of them away in a trade.
The Timberwolves should first explore Isaac’s availability. He is still just 22 years old and has a ton of upside. Plus he is a great defensive player. He would fit seamlessly next to KAT, and a trade package could center around Jarrett Culver and one of the Wolves 2020 first-round picks.
If Isaac is deemed too expensive, the Wolves should focus on Gordon. While this is currently his sixth year in the league he is still only 24. Some would consider him a little bit of a disappointment so far in his career, but he has spent the majority of his time at small forward in Orlando.
Playing at the power forward for the Wolves would allow him to thrive as he wants to run and is able to stretch the floor. While his contract is more expensive than Isaac’s and will have two years left after this season, he would have way more opportunity to succeed as a Wolf.
A trade centered around Culver, James Johnson (in order to match contracts), and the Nets pick should get this deal done.