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Minnesota Timberwolves: The General Manager Game

By Dylan Jackson

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - MARCH 03: Anthony Edwards #1 of the Minnesota Timberwolves hugs LaMelo Ball #2 of the Charlotte Hornets after the game at Target Center on March 3, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Hornets defeated the Timberwolves 135-102. 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 Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - MARCH 03: Anthony Edwards #1 of the Minnesota Timberwolves hugs LaMelo Ball #2 of the Charlotte Hornets after the game at Target Center on March 3, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Hornets defeated the Timberwolves 135-102. 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 Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 19: Kenrich Williams #34 of the Oklahoma City Thunder. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 19: Kenrich Williams #34 of the Oklahoma City Thunder. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) /

Minnesota Timberwolves: The General Manager Game – The Trade

Okay, the Timberwolves want to be eligible for the non-tax free agency exception for several reasons – the first being this team is not good enough to justify going over the tax threshold. Second, it would allow you more money to sign a rotational-level player.

There are two things the Minnesota Timberwolves could do here.

The first option would be to move Ricky Rubio for a low-cost, low-quality player. Theoretically, you could ship him to someone with a decent amount of salary cap space – a team that needs a primary, veteran playmaker.

The other option is to move Jarrett Culver and Juan Hernangomez. This is the more likely option – simply because they are more attractive assets than what Ricky Rubio currently is.

Several weeks ago, I wrote an article detailing a few offseason trades that the Timberwolves could make (the link is here). I am going to pull one of the trades from that article to be used here.

Minnesota, in this deal, would also be getting a solid rotational wing/forward in Kenrich Williams.

Williams, who is making $2 million per season until 2023, would be a low-cost player that is still capable of getting rotational minutes. Juan Hernangomez has shown flashes but is one of the worst defenders in the league. Culver, additionally, has been unable to show any sort of consistency, and a change of scenery could be beneficial to both he and the Timberwolves.

Williams is averaging eight points, four rebounds, and two assists on splits of 53/43/57 – which is really good. He’s a low-volume option with a non-guaranteed contract in both 2021-22 and 2022-23. He makes sense from every aspect and is the perfect role player to have as a three/four tweener.

UPDATED ROSTER:

PG: D’Angelo Russell, Ricky Rubio
SG: Malik Beasley, Jaylen Nowell
SF: Anthony Edwards, Kenrich Williams, Josh Okogie
PF: Evan Mobley, Jaden McDaniels, Jake Layman
C: Karl-Anthony Towns, Naz Reid

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