Minnesota Timberwolves should look at trading for Miles Bridges
The Minnesota Timberwolves are going to be searching for the missing link this offseason – someone that complements the existing core group of players that currently consists of Karl-Anthony Towns, D’Angelo Russell, Anthony Edwards, and Jaden McDaniels.
One player that could bridge the gap between the guards and Towns could be Miles Bridges, who really impressed this season for a Charlotte team that may not be able to pay him as he is now officially extension eligible.
Miles Bridges is an athletic two-way forward who proved that he can be an efficient scorer from the wing/forward positions, and that could be exactly what the Timberwolves need.
Over the course of this past season, Miles Bridges averaged 12.7 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game on shooting splits of 50/40/87 – less than double-digit free throw makes away from a full 50/40/90 season (albeit on less impressive volume than the stars that have achieved that mark before).
Miles Bridges is also a player that the Timberwolves could have been interested in last season – as his name was floated in rumors when the Hornets and Wolves were talking trade prior to the draft (with the first and third picks presumably involved).
Bridges could fill an interesting role for the Timberwolves – someone that can play make minimally (but still possibly do it from a frontcourt role). Additionally, the spacing from Karl-Anthony Towns and Jaden McDaniels in the frontcourt could give him more room to create opportunities for himself inside.
The price, though, would be an interesting point here. While the Timberwolves could offer an interesting and diverse package, Miles Bridges also only has one year left on his contract before he hits restricted free agency. That said, if he were going to get traded, it would be this offseason – and to a team that would want to pay him.
If the Timberwolves do not fear what Bridges could bring with him salary wise on his next contract, they should pursue him via trade – as they may be able to get him at a discount compared to what other starting-level forwards will cost to acquire.