Minnesota Timberwolves: 3 realistic trades for a power forward
By Nate Ackert
The Minnesota Timberwolves need help at power forward. What would a realistic trade for a starting-caliber 4 look like?
The Minnesota Timberwolves have a glaring weakness at the power forward position.
Prior to the start of the season, it was expected that Juancho Hernangomez and Jake Layman would primarily play at the 4. However, due to significant underperformance by both players through the preseason and first few regular-season games, Josh Okogie and Jarrett Culver have also seen significant minutes at power forward.
The need to play natural wings like Okogie and Culver at the 4 is a clear sign that the Wolves must explore the trade market to fill their need at this position.
The current roster is overflowing with guards all competing for playing time. Meanwhile, in the absence of Karl-Anthony Towns, Ryan Saunders has been forced to rely on bigs like Ed Davis and Jarred Vanderbilt to support Naz Reid in the frontcourt. The Wolves frontcourt depth has been cut even thinner after the front office waived Rondae Hollis-Jefferson at the end of the preseason.
All is not doom and gloom in the frontcourt for the Wolves, however. The Wolves’ two consecutive blowout losses have given chances to younger guys like Jaden McDaniels and Jarred Vanderbilt to get additional opportunities, and both have played well. That said, it makes sense for the Wolves to invest in a proven commodity at power forward to help these young players develop.
The Wolves have made their interest in a power forward known around the league since the beginning of free agency, as reports surfaced of the Wolves pursuing players like Serge Ibaka and Paul Millsap, and their interest in a trade for the likes of Aaron Gordon is well-documented, too.
Though the Wolves haven’t yet been successful in acquiring a proven power forward, let’s take a look at three realistic trades the Wolves could make for a 4 to provide immediate help.