Minnesota Timberwolves: Wolves players most likely to be traded

Veteran Minnesota Timberwolves players who could be on the market

There are several veteran Wolves players who, on varying levels, could be had in a trade.

Some aren’t likely to be traded because of their contract and play thus far in a Timberwolves uniform — or both. Others simply won’t be the focal point of any deal and will only be moved if they are a piece to help match salaries or provide room on the roster.

Juancho Hernangomez

Juancho Hernangomez just signed a deal that could be worth up to $21 million over three years. But an inactive offseason, lack of participation in the team bubble, and an unusual training camp led to a slow start. Then, Hernangomez contracted COVID-19 and missed more than three weeks.

The veteran forward has struggled mightily this year, to say the least. At his best, he can be a key role player, knocking down 3-pointers at a 40-percent clip and hopefully rebounding and defending at something resembling a league-average level.

But that isn’t the reality of Hernangomez in February of 2021. He likely has negative value on the trade market, although the team option on the third year of his contract makes him more of a tough-to-move asset than an immovable contract.

Jake Layman

There’s no reason to trade Jake Layman, outside of matching salaries or trying to free a roster spot for a larger deal.

But that’s just it: Layman is only making $3.76 million this year and is on the books for just $3.95 million next year. His contract isn’t big enough to be included as the major piece of a deal, and he isn’t the caliber of player that a playoff team is going to be seeking out.

Layman’s best-case scenario is likely as a ninth or tenth man on a playoff team who is a bit of a jack-of-all-trades but master of none. Nobody is banging the Wolves’ door down for Jake Layman, and he’ll only be moved as a throw-in a deal.

Ricky Rubio

Ed Davis

Ricky Rubio is making $17 million this year and is due $17.8 million next year. Just three months ago, that cost didn’t seem inordinate, but given how Rubio has played over the course of the first 25 games of this season … it may be tough to move that contract.

At the moment, Rubio is an expensive backup and an underwhelming starter. On the one hand, there could be a savvy organization that sees the Wolves’ offensive shortcomings and would find Rubio to be an asset down the stretch and in the playoffs when playing in the right system and with the right players around him.

On the other hand, $17 million this year and $17.8 million next year is a hefty price to pay if you’re worried about a decline or a downturn in Rubio’s career setting in. Even if the Wolves have any sense of buyer’s remorse on Rubio, it may not be easy to move him. This summer, or perhaps next year’s trade deadline, is probably a safer bet.

Ed Davis, on the other hand, is only making $5 million this year. He’s clearly a step slower than he was even two years ago with Brooklyn, but could there be a playoff team that wants veteran frontcourt depth with playoff experience? Possibly, and the Wolves would gladly accept a second-round pick back in the deal, effectively canceling out what they gave up to get him.