Minnesota Timberwolves: 3 Josh Okogie trades to consider

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 27: Josh Okogie #20 of the Minnesota Timberwolves gets past Dennis Schroder #17 of the Los Angeles Lakers in the first half at Staples Center on December 27, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. 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 aImages License Agreement. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images) /

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WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 29: Myles Turner #33 of the Indiana Pacers, possible Minnesota Timberwolves target. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) /

Minnesota Timberwolves: Josh Okogie (and some) traded to Pacers for Myles Turner

The Minnesota Timberwolves have a lot of needs, but two of those could be filled in this trade – sending Josh Okogie (in combination with Malik Beasley) for Myles Turner and Edmond Sumner.

First things first – Malik Beasley being included in a trade is something that will make a lot of fans hesitate. Here’s why is makes sense for the Timberwolves: It brings in a great interior defender (Turner) which in turn should raise the overall floor of the defense. Moving Beasley would have to mean the Timberwolves get a good player – which Turner is. He averaged over 3 blocks per game for a large portion of this past season.

Additionally, there is some (albeit not a huge amount of) risk in Malik Beasley. Put simply, he is not going to average 20 points per game like he did in 2020-21. The reason this is the case is because of the emergence of Anthony Edwards while also Karl-Anthony Towns returning to the lineup.

That’s not to say Malik Beasley isn’t valuable – he very clearly is. But Turner brings more, and Sumner is also a great get as a throw-in to this deal – he averaged eight points per game on 53/40/82 splits at a low volume for the Pacers. He should be rotation-worthy for the Timberwolves as a replacement wing for Okogie/Beasley.

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