Minnesota Timberwolves M(urr)AY have dodged a Rocket

Best to reset, than to regret

Of course, the Brooklyn Nets control the futures of both Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant, and can take their time and let the market and the bidding present the best trade package possible. But doing so at this point is going to be all patchwork to their roster for now. And that could be very problematic.

Perhaps the best course of action for the Nets is to regroup, try to acquire the best young players and draft picks packages possible, and reset their timetable. But I fear that whether out of impatience to compete in the NBA Playoffs, or out of a hurt sense of pride, the Brooklyn Nets may be trying to get right back on the NBA Playoff horse that just kicked them off.

Slow and steady wins the race

So to the Minnesota Timberwolves, and particularly to new President of Basketball Operations Tim Connelly, I want to express my gratitude. The current situation with the Brooklyn Nets is one that Minnesota Timberwolves will not face, but may have, had the Timberwolves traded a king’s ransom for PG Dejounte Murray.

The Timberwolves would likely have faced the same pitfalls. By trading so much for one player, that player would have had an undeserving voice in the future of the team, simply due to the amount of value necessary to acquire him. And that would have spelled disaster for the future of this team, a team that must establish a reputation for hard work and a winning culture before committing vast amount of resources to acquire that last piece to the puzzle.

A motivated Dejounte Murray may or may not have improved the Timberwolves roster. But in no way would an unmotivated Dejounte Murray have benefited the team. So it’s clear that Tim Connelly has passed his first test, not shooting at the first NBA player to show up on the radar screen.

I have to believe that the Timberwolves will make some roster moves. But for now? Slow and steady wins the race.