Minnesota Timberwolves: 5 teams to trade with on NBA Draft night

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Could John Collins end up as a member of the Minnesota Timberwolves in a trade for the No. 1 pick? (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /

2. Multiple possibilities between Minnesota Timberwolves and Atlanta Hawks

The Atlanta Hawks have a roster void of terrible contracts, several promising young win players, and a desire to compete in playoffs as soon as possible. They also have the No. 6 pick in this year’s draft — right in between the Wolves’ No. 1 and No. 17 selections.

John Collins has been mentioned around these parts as an intriguing trade target. Here’s one option involving the No. 1 pick that the Wolves could ask about.

This only works if the Hawks have fallen in love with, say, Anthony Edwards, who would add a level of physicality to a backcourt that is led by the diminutive Trae Young. Perhaps the Wolves would have to sweeten the pot a bit more, but don’t forget that Atlanta is likely less than enthused to fork over a contract exension for John Collins next offseason.

Interestingly, the recent report from The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor that the Wolves were engaged with the Hawks in trade talks didn’t involve the No. 1 pick. Instead, Minnesota is considering a deal with Jarrett Culver and the No. 17 pick going to Atlanta in exchange for No. 6.

What the Wolves do there is a bit of a mystery, although O’Connor mentioned both Florida State’s Patrick Williams and Iowa State’s Tyrese Haliburton as possibilities. Perhaps Dayton big man Obi Toppin or Florida State wing Devin Vassell will still be there. Or maybe the pick would be defensive wizard Isaac Okoro out of Auburn, who the Wolves recently watched work out.

The other possibility is that the Wolves could then turn around and ship No. 1 and No. 6 to someone else in a package for a star-level player.

Which brings us to our last team(s) to consider…