Could a blockbuster trade get the Timberwolves to the Promised Land?
Why the Timberwolves would make this trade
The Timberwolves have long been in rumors to trade for Sabonis or Turner, so why not push to add both?
Sabonis has made the All-Star game each of the past two seasons and could possibly be headed back for a third. So far this year, he’s averaging 18.7 points, 11.9 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and one steal per game. With Sabonis on the roster, opposing teams would no longer be able to double team Towns with another star in the starting lineup.
Sabonis is shooting an okay 32.3 percent from three, which is in line with his career average. He would at least stretch the floor much more than Vanderbilt. (Of course, we all know the impact Vanderbilt has on the court. We’ll talk more about him later.)
Sabonis reels in rebounds at a 19.1 percent rate, slightly higher than Vanderbilt’s 18.7 percent, so the rebounding shouldn’t drop off.
Myles Turner does not appreciate the way he has been treated in Indiana, stating he was, “not valued as anything more than a glorified role player.” So, hopefully, he’s cool with coming off the bench. Turner is averaging 13.2 points, 7.3 rebounds,1.1 assists, and 2.8 blocks per game and is a rim protector on steroids — something the Timberwolves are in dire need of.
Turner doesn’t rebound the ball all that well for his size with a 13.5 rebound percentage, but with Vanderbilt moving to the bench with him, the boards should be taken care of. Vanderbilt will also be able to stay in his dunker’s role; Turner is a .357 percent shooter from deep so far this season.
While Turner is on the court, he would absolutely help defeat the double teams on Towns by adding a floor-stretching element.
The issue would be fitting these two into the rotation and having everyone keep their touches. The Big Three for Minnesota has a combined usage rate of 81.6 percent. Sabonis would come in with a 22.1 percent usage rate, while Turner’s stands at 17.2.
A look at a potential new Timberwolves lineup
Yes, the Timberwolves have the best starting lineup in the league. So, we are going to screw all of that up and rotate Sabonis and Turner in depending on the matchup.
The only way I was able to make this work was by putting Vanderbilt in at the 3 for all 25 of his minutes. Then, depending on the matchup, Towns, Sabonis, and Turner could all rotate minutes and sub in for each other at the two big spots.
The league is more positionless than ever, so this could work. Beverly keeps his minutes by having Russell and Nowell rotate as the backup point guard, and Dosunmu is the only one hammered by the change in scenery, getting the remaining 13 minutes at the two.
Here’s how it breaks down:
Point Guard
- Beverly – 25 minutes
- Russell – 10 minutes
- Nowell – 13 minutes
Shooting Guard
- Russell – 23 minutes
- Edwards – 12 minutes
- Dosunmu – 13 minutes
Small Forward
- Edwards – 23 minutes
- Vanderbilt – 25 minutes
Power Forward/ Center
- Towns – 34 minutes
- Sabonis – 34 minutes
- Turner – 28 minutes
Everyone would remain within two minutes per game of their current work load.
Vanderbilt could actually work quite well at the three spot, in a way simulating what the Cavaliers are doing this season with playing the three big men in the starting lineup.
Can you imagine the rebounding and extra possessions snagged throughout the game? The main downfall would be Nowell not getting the increased workload he deserves, but perhaps Dosunmu would fit better with the Iowa Wolves for the time being.
Why the Indiana Pacers would make this trade
The Pacers haven’t been able to get out of the middle of the Eastern Conference since Paul George left, and find themselves heading there yet again this season — at best.
Even though they are publicly denying a blow-up and rebuild, there is one on the horizon for this team. This would have to be the first move of many for the Pacers, as they now have their young talent and one additional future pick thus far.
Caris LeVert, Malcolm Brogdon, and TJ Warren could be on the move next to help secure some additional future picks.
Why the Chicago Bulls would make this trade
The Bulls are having a phenomenal season, and have had some surprisingly solid play from Dosunmu, this year’s second-round pick. To move on from Dosunmu, who is a solid role player thus far, for a player in Bolmaro who has the potential to at least be a starter in this league is something that could intrigue Chicago.
Throwing in Simonovic to match the contracts and help the Wolves with their roster spots, and it’s a done deal.
How did this trade and rotation work out on NBA 2k22?
Let’s ask the ever-important question: how did this deal work out in a simulation on NBA 2k22?
Next. The Wolves' 3-point chucking is killing their offense. dark
Good news: the Wolves finished as the No. 2 seed in the West and lost to Utah in the Western Conference Finals. In short, this trade is a go.