Timberwolves $4.75 TE expires Thursday. Trade imminent?

With the 2022 NBA Draft now in the rear view mirror, the Minnesota Timberwolves, and particularly President of Basketball Operations Tim Connelly, have put the first bit of evidence out there as to how he plans to restock the roster and lead the organization into the future.  So what have you concluded?

Well, there is a definite intention to improve the team’s defensive presence on the basketball court. From the players added, particularly center Walker Kessler at 22 and wing Wendell Moore at 26, the team has targeted defensive players who may have offensive upside.

But a more subtle and underlying theme to the Timberwolves’ draft strategy was optimizing each and every pick possible. So does that same intention to optimize picks apply to other areas of the team’s roster as well?

The Minnesota Timberwolves have not been linked to small forward Cam Reddish before, but that may all change rather quickly. He has been a bit of an underwhelming player for the short amount of time he’s played for the New York Knicks, which is why they would be willing to trade him away. So why would the Timberwolves be willing to trade for him? Well, they have an expiring trade exception of $4.75 million that is expiring.

And with trade exceptions in the NBA? It’s either use it or lose it.

Reddish is a very intriguing player, as he flashed significant upside with the Atlanta Hawks, but dulled rapidly with the New York Knicks. Of course, part of that luster was lost as Reddish struggled to get meaningful minutes in the Knicks rotation. Would he have an easier time with the Minnesota Timberwolves?  I’m not so sure.

The lack of movement of any veterans on the roster during the draft suggests that the Timberwolves are taking a very slow and deliberate approach to any trade scenarios, or that the rumored market for some players was not as hot as first believed. Under those conditions, I’m not of the opinion that the team is looking to add anyone to the roster until the team creates a spot for them via other trades.

Anything is possible, yes. But the Timberwolves appear to be all about measuring twice and cutting once. I don’t think the Minnesota Timberwolves pull the trigger on this one.