What should the Timberwolves do at the 2022 NBA Trade Deadline?

The Timberwolves front office has several options with the trade deadline less than two weeks away. What should they ultimately decide to do?

Timberwolves Rumors: What should the Timberwolves do at the trade deadline?

It seems relatively unlikely that Timberwolves front office boss Sachin Gupta will be able to swing big and acquire Ben Simmons, Jerami Grant, or John Collins. But many other potential moves are reportedly available, including bringing in Harrison Barnes or a reunion with Robert Covington.

Grant seems to be the best player on the market that may actually be attainable, and Gupta should certainly consider trading for the Detroit Pistons forward.

Minnesota would probably have to part ways with Malik Beasley or Taurean Prince, plus Jaden McDaniels and a couple of draft picks. It’s not an overwhelming asking price for Grant, who is averaging 20.1 points per game and has one year left on his deal, but the Pistons are reportedly split on whether to trade their leading scorer.

Another option that would help Minnesota push for a playoff spot is trading for the aforementioned Barnes. He has been up and down in Sacramento this season but has put up 16.5 points on 41.1 percent shooting from beyond the arc in 45 games. The veteran stretch-4 would add more offensive versatility to the Timberwolves lineup.

Plus, Gupta previously worked alongside Kings general manager Monte McNair, so it’s possible that prior relationship could grease the wheels for an agreement.

Covington also remains a potential target as the former Minnesota forward is in the last year of his contract.

He isn’t much of an impact on the offensive end, scoring just 7.7 points on 39 percent shooting from the field, but would give the Timberwolves another intelligent defender and willing rebounder down the stretch. Minnesota would have to get rid of Prince and at least one future draft pick in order to bring back Covington. The Trail Blazers are also reportedly shopping Larry Nance Jr.

Although Nance hasn’t played in almost a month after injuring his right knee in early January, it looks like Portland is ready to move on after less than a year; he has averaged 6.9 points and 5.6 rebounds in 23.2 minutes per game.

Nance hasn’t been able to make a major impact with the Trail Blazers, but Chris Finch wouldn’t ask much if the Timberwolves brought him in. The former first-round pick is owed $10.7 million this season and has a year remaining on his deal.

If the Timberwolves have a chance to pick up Grant or Barnes, they should definitely jump all over it. Both guys would give Minnesota a boost alongside Karl-Anthony Towns, Anthony Edwards and D’Angelo Russell.

With that said, Covington and Nance could add quality depth at a lower cost. No matter what Gupta decides to do at the Feb. 10 deadline, he needs to make sure not to disrupt the chemistry as the Timberwolves hope to clinch their first playoff berth since 2018.