No. 3: Adding Patrick Beverley helps with Timberwolves’ roster balancing
Following the Wolves’ draft-day trade of Rubio for Taurean Prince and a second-round pick, the question of roster balance was a fair one to ask.
In fact, yours truly did just that, wondering what the other shoe to drop might be, and at the time, it looked as though the other shoe may have to be a major deal. Otherwise, re-signing Jordan McLaughlin would be the only possible answer at backup point guard.
As it stands, however, the Wolves sent out two players who were going to be on the outside of the rotation looking in and acquired a veteran player who will be a key cog in their rotation.
Before the trade, the top eight players in the rotation were undoubtedly Russell, Edwards, Malik Beasley, McDaniels, Towns, Josh Okogie, Naz Reid, and probably Jaylen Nowell. That doesn’t take into account their desire to re-sign Jarred Vanderbilt or the high probability that Leandro Bolmaro will join the team.
Okogie was always going to play ahead of Culver, and if the Wolves want to find minutes for Edwards, Beasley, and McDaniels to share the court together, then McDaniels is going to be playing a decent amount at power forward. If Vanderbilt is back and Reid is to get any minutes next to Towns, which Finch showed a desire to do in short stints late last season, then there simply weren’t minutes for Hernangomez.
Add in the uncomfortable conflict between the Wolves and the Spanish national team surrounding the Tokyo Olympics, and it’s not a shock to see Hernangomez on his way out the door.
Beverley’s contract expires after this year, so the Wolves don’t take on any additional future salary. He makes nearly a million dollars more this year than Culver and Hernangomez combined, but don’t forget that the Wolves saved some salary space and received cash back from Cleveland in the Rubio-Prince deal, not to mention a second-round pick.
Essentially, the Wolves traded Rubio, Culver, and Hernangomez for Prince, Beverley, a second-round pick, and cash, all while saving a bit of cap space and improving roster flexibility. Not too shabby.
The biggest question still centers on the trade availability of Philadelphia 76ers superstar Ben Simmons, and whether or not the Wolves can swing a trade for the embattled defensive wizard. If they can’t — and, to be clear, it will be a massive challenge to pull off such a deal — then the Wolves will pivot to bringing back Vanderbilt.
It’s also possible that fellow restricted free agent Jordan McLaughlin is back, too, if he’s unable to find a deal elsewhere. Beverley has had injury issues for a good chunk of his career, and the only other point guard on the roster is two-way rookie McKinley Wright IV.
All in all, this trade is a clear win for the Timberwolves. The roster is better than it was at the start of the offseason, and Gersson Rosas and Co. still may not be done making moves.