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B/R proposes Minnesota Timberwolves trade for Victor Oladipo

By Dylan Jackson

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 24: Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers shoots around Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat during the first half of a first round playoff game at The Field House at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 24, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, 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 Ashley Landis-Pool/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 24: Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers shoots around Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat during the first half of a first round playoff game at The Field House at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 24, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, 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 Ashley Landis-Pool/Getty Images) /
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The Minnesota Timberwolves need more two-way players in order to contend for a playoff spot next season.

The Minnesota Timberwolves struck gold when the NBA awarded them the first overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, which takes place on October 16th, about a month and a half away. Should the Timberwolves decide to trade the pick in exchange for a player that could help them win in 2020-21, Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley came up with a scenario which they acquire Pacers’ wing Victor Oladipo.

The proposed trade goes as follows:

On the surface this trade seems fair enough. Victor Oladipo was a legit All-Star in both 2017-18 and 2018-19. However, in the past two seasons combined, he has only played 55 total games. On top of that, he has not been particularly efficient in those games either, averaging roughly 17 points on splits of 42/33/76.

Moving the first overall pick (and Culver, as well) would be a huge risk for someone that has been in-and-out of the lineup with multiple injuries. A healthy Oladipo is a positive on both ends of the floor, and putting a player of that caliber next to D’Angelo Russell would dramatically help the team.

That said, another issue with this proposed trade is that Oladipo will be 28 years old on a one-year contract. Having to pay a 29-year old player that has had injury issues in the past (as well as not looking like his previous all-star-caliber self is a lot of risk factors when considering giving up multiple promising young assets.

The Timberwolves should absolutely consider trading the first overall pick – any logical team would – especially in an increasingly difficult Western Conference. Again, though, this is less of a calculated risk and more-so a desperation move.

Next. Three trade-back options with the first pick. dark

While Devin Booker may not be a reasonable trade target anymore following the Suns’ explosion in Orlando’s NBA restart, Minnesota should look at players that have been consistent throughout their career as well as guys that fit the overall timeline alongside Russell and Karl-Anthony Towns.

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