Minnesota Timberwolves: 5 potential trades for the No. 1 pick

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Malik Monk of the Charlotte Hornets celebrates after hitting a three point shot against the Minnesota Timberwolves. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) /

Minnesota Timberwolves: 5 potential trades for the No. 1 pick: Charlotte Hornets

Charlotte is looking for a star. They have some interesting pieces on their roster but none classify as a franchise cornerstone.

Rather than sitting and waiting to see what’s available at No. 3, they can secure the No, 1 spot and can take their time to find exactly which of Edwards, Ball, and Wiseman they want to bring to town.

For the Timberwolves, they move back two spots but bring back a future first-round pick. Dropping two spots doesn’t hurt. In fact, it helps them draft a better fit without feeling like they reached. Onyeka Okongwu could be the perfect running mate for Karl-Anthony Towns and at No. 3 he’s almost guaranteed to still be on the board.

Losing Jake Layman hurts, but bringing in someone like Malik Monk with a higher ceiling is worth the risk. Monk is on the last year of his contract and comes to a situation with all-around higher caliber teammates and less pressure to produce on the court. Monk can settle in nicely as a sixth-man for the Timberwolves and help bring a scoring punch to a lackluster bench unit.

While not the most likely trade, it benefits both teams immediately and in their long term plans.