Minnesota Timberwolves: Ranking trade value on the Wolves’ roster
By Nate Ackert
Minnesota Timberwolves: Ranking trade value on the Wolves’ roster
Mostly Tradeable
5. Josh Okogie
Tradability Score: 16.8 out of 30
- Contract Value: 7.1/10
- Market Value: 6.1/10
- Rosas Factor: 3.6/10
Josh Okogie began to thrive on both sides of the ball in the aftermath of the D’Lo and Robert Covington trades. Okogie solidified his role as a slashing, defensive-minded guard, averaging 8.6 points and 1.1 steals per game.
By most standards, Wolves fans would agree that despite certain offensive limitations, Okogie has lived up to his rookie contract, making him a valuable asset to other teams – particularly on the defensive end. If the Wolves were to come across a trade that involved a third star to pair with KAT and D’Lo, Okogie would be a strong, young asset to offer to rebuilding teams.
The biggest factors hampering Okogie’s tradeability are his improved fit in the new-look Wolves’ offense and his defensive prowess on a team that has struggled mightily on defense.
4. Jacob Evans
Tradeability Score: 17.1 out of 30
- Contract Value: 6.1/10
- Market Value: 3.0/10
- Rosas Factor: 8.0/10
Similar to Spellman, Jacob Evans arrived in Minnesota as an add-on to facilitate the D’Lo trade with Golden State. This leaves doubt as to the amount of value the front office sees in Evans. On top of that, the Wolves are currently deep at both guard positions, leaving a real possibility that the Wolves may look to trade one or more of these guards to help solidify their frontcourt and bench.
Evans increased his playing time in Golden State to 15.3 minutes per game in a crowded backcourt this season, working to prove that he is an NBA-caliber guard on a reasonable contract. Overall, his affordability and questionable fit in Minnesota make him a reasonable trade candidate this offseason.
3. Jarred Vanderbilt
Tradeability Score: 17.9/30
- Contract Value: 6.3/10
- Market Value: 2.5/10
- Rosas Factor: 9.1/10
Similar to Jacob Evans and Omari Spellman, Jarred Vanderbilt came to the Wolves as an add-on to facilitate bigger pieces of a trade. Vanderbilt’s contract facilitated the arrival of Malik Beasley and Juancho Hernangomez in the blockbuster Robert Covington trade at the 2020 trade deadline.
Vanderbilt is largely unproven in the NBA, appearing in just 28 games in his three-year career. However, he is a former McDonald’s All-American on an affordable contract, which could improve his trade value. His value to the Wolves is unknown at this point, so Gersson Rosas may try to leverage Vanderbilt’s upside in a trade to improve the Wolves’ bench.
However, the Wolves are currently thin at both forward positions, which may de-incentivize trading a potentially high-upside asset.