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Minnesota Timberwolves: 3 trades with the New York Knicks

By Nate Ackert

MIAMI, FL - DECEMBER 30: Head coach Tom Thibodeau of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks on against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena on December 30, 2018 in Miami, Florida. 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 Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - DECEMBER 30: Head coach Tom Thibodeau of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks on against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena on December 30, 2018 in Miami, Florida. 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 Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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Minnesota Timberwolves: 3 trades with the New York Knicks

Minnesota Timberwolves, Dennis Smith Jr.
Dennis Smith Jr. of the New York Knicks goes to the basket against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

1. Swapping role players

Shams Charania reported earlier in the season that Kevin Knox had “yet to gain traction within the Knicks,” losing out on minutes to players like RJ Barrett, Reggie Bullock, Maurice Harkless, and Bobby Portis. Dennis Smith Jr. is in a similar situation, losing minutes to Elfrid Payton, Frank Ntilikina, and Damyean Dotson.

For the Timberwolves, Jarrett Culver struggled for a majority of his rookie season, particularly on the offensive end. Early in the season, Culver was tasked with being one of the Wolves’ primary ballhandlers, which may have been too much to ask of the rookie out of Texas Tech.

However, Culver’s shooting improved dramatically after the Wolves’ eventful trade deadline, shooting north of 40 percent from 3-point range post-trade deadline. Jacob Evans is an inexperienced guard that would be a project for any team, though he has shown some promise as a defender in his limited action throughout his two-year career.

The basis for this trade is simple. The Knicks would get rid of two players who have not met expectations. In return, they would acquire a savvy young defender with high upside, one that Thibodeau would certainly appreciate given his defensive reputation as a head coach from his days in Chicago.

Culver is a high-upside player who was picked in the top-six last just last year, and Thibodeau may see his defensive potential and athletic ability to be worth a risk. Additionally, the Timberwolves provide the first pick in the second round of this year’s draft as incentive to take a chance on Culver.

For the Wolves, they would take a chance on two players who haven’t found their footing in New York. Smith is an athletic guard who could provide an offensive spark from the bench as a shot creator for the Wolves. He is a career 12.5 point-per-game scorer who might just need to find the right offensive fit to flourish. Knox could play a role similar to Jake Layman in the Wolves offense as a long, athletic slasher.

Culver and a high second-round pick may not be enough for the Knicks to let go of Knox and Smith, and Knox and Smith may not provide the defensive support for the Wolves to sacrifice one of their top defenders. However, this trade would give some of the Knicks and Timberwolves’ role players a chance to improve in different systems.

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