The Minnesota Timberwolves would love to improve their roster, and in the opinion of many NBA Insiders, analysts, and pundits, a jumpstart to doing so would be for the Timberwolves to offer up a trade package to pry point guard Dejounte Murray away from the San Antonio Spurs.
It made such sense, that NBA Insider Chad Lowe literally crafted an ideal trade scenario, suggesting that the Minnesota Timberwolves offer up combination guard D’Angelo Russell and three first-round picks (Top-3 protected) for Murray. When subsequent NBA Rumors confirmed that the San Antonio Spurs were open to moving Dejounte Murray and that the starting bid would be three first-round picks, the stage was set. All Minnesota Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations Tim Connelly had to do was pick up the phone, call the San Antonio Spurs, and make the offer.
Only he didn’t. Rather, the Atlanta Hawks appear to have been the one to pick up the phone and enter negotiations.
In talking with multiple sources around the NBA, many believe Hawks on verge of trading for San Antonio's All-Star guard Dejounte Murray - However, it's looking like John Collins is not part of deal. Would be Gallo & multiple 1st round picks. Spurs prepping for future & '23 draft
— Zach Klein (@ZachKleinWSB) June 27, 2022
So what in sam’s hill is going on around here?
Minnesota Timberwolves Rumors: Betting on a big, not on a star
Well, there could be a method to the Minnesota madness after all. Let’s examine the players. The Atlanta Hawks rumors are heating up rapidly over their interest in adding Dejounte Murray to their roster. The San Antonio Spurs want first-round picks. The Minnesota Timberwolves rumors over interest in Hawks Clint Capela are heating up. See where this is going?
If the Timberwolves engage the Atlanta Hawks in trade talks to acquire Clint Capela, the Timberwolves could include a trade package with a 2024 first-round pick. That could either replenish the Hawks’ draft assets if they successfully deal a trio or more of firsts to the San Antonio Spurs for Murray.
If this is the path that the Minnesota Timberwolves follow, that makes the team’s retention of D’Angelo Russell an almost certainty.
It appears that the Minnesota Timberwolves will not enter the bidding wars for Spurs PG Murray. Rather, the Timberwolves may actually end up being an ally to the Atlanta Hawks as the Hawks try to amass that king’s ransom. Is this a move that the Timberwolves’ front office will look upon and regret in the future?
Don’t bet on it. The Minnesota Timberwolves are staying true to their plan: They are betting on another big, and not another star.