Dunking With Wolves
Fansided

Minnesota Timberwolves: 3 Russell trades if the Wolves get Cunningham

By James Piercey

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 19: Cade Cunningham #2 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys drives past Elijah Cuffee #10 of the Liberty Flames during the second half the first round game of the 2021 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Indiana Farmers Coliseum on March 19, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 19: Cade Cunningham #2 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys drives past Elijah Cuffee #10 of the Liberty Flames during the second half the first round game of the 2021 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Indiana Farmers Coliseum on March 19, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next
DETROIT, MICHIGAN – MARCH 21: Thaddeus Young #21 of the Chicago Bulls. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN – MARCH 21: Thaddeus Young #21 of the Chicago Bulls. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images) /

Remember the versatile, defensive minded power forward who was mentioned above?

Thaddeus Young is the prototype.

Young was the NBA’s Benjamin Button during the 2020-21 season, somehow nearly doubling his previous career high in assists per game while maintaining his brand of defense, hustle and leadership. He’s not the most reliable three point shooter, but he doesn’t necessarily have to be when paired with KAT. He’ll make up the ground that KAT notoriously cedes on defense, while providing the low maintenance, solid offensive skillset that he has throughout his entire career.

Aminu is icing on this cake. He’s a serviceable rotation player who provides a little spacing and a little defense. He’s arguably an upgrade over Juancho Hernangomez, a frequent starting 4 for the Pups throughout the 2020-21 season.

Minnesota Timberwolves: 3 D’Angelo Russell trades if the Timberwolves get Cade Cunningham

There are reasons both sides could balk at this proposal. The Timberwolves are getting older, and losing the best player in a deal is generally frowned upon. Meanwhile, the Bulls may see similar fit issues with Russell and Lavine as two ball dominant offensive weapons. Nonetheless, they need a point guard, and on Minnesota’s end, a lineup of Cunningham/Beasley/Edwards/Young/Anthony-Towns makes frighteningly good basketball sense and profiles as a comfortable playoff contender.

Rosas could even push his luck and ask the Bulls to attach draft consideration. They already went in for a penny with their trade deadline acquisition of Nikola Vucevic, and they may go in for a pound to acquire an offensively gifted point guard like Russell.