Minnesota Timberwolves: 5 dream trades for star players

The Minnesota Timberwolves want to make the 2021 playoffs. What dream -scenario trades could Gersson Rosas make that would get them there?

With the addition of D’Angelo Russell at the trade deadline, the Minnesota Timberwolves look like they will be vying for a playoff spot as early as the 2020-21 season.

The tandem of Russell and Karl-Anthony Towns looks as good as any young duo in the NBA, but as we’ve seen so far in the Gersson Rosas era the front office will continue to make moves that best fit the team for both the present and future.

With that said, this exercise is going to look at what would be considered “dream” offseason trades. These trades would be considered blockbuster moves and while they seem far-fetched at first glance, they may be more realistic than one may think.

Minnesota has been stuck in the bottom half of the Western Conference ever since Kevin Garnett was traded to the Boston Celtics, save for making the playoffs in 2018 with Jimmy Butler leading the way. The Wolves finally have the opportunity to dig themselves out with two All-Star-caliber players and will look to capitalize on their window.

There are two directions that make the most sense to reach relevancy: bring in another young talent that coincides with KAT and DLo’s timeline to develop a “Big 3,” or trade for a veteran who is consistently playing in the playoffs.

This exercise will take a look at moves that involve both avenues.

Spoiler alert: Devin Booker is not included. While he is best friends with Towns and Russell, he does not necessarily fit the Wolves roster as he would be another minus-defender and he needs the ball in his hands to be a threat offensively, similar to Russell.

In this exercise we will operate under the following expectations:

• James Johnson opts into his player option for 2020-21
• Malik Beasley signs a four-year, $18 million-per-season contract
• Beasley is willing to accept a sign-and-trade
• Minnesota’s 2021 first-round pick will convey to Golden State, meaning they are unable to also trade their 2022 first-round pick