No fix for Timberwolves fan frustrations for some time

What about Timberwolves trades?

Some believe that the Timberwolves will look for an upgrade via an NBA Trade. I’m not so sure that is a remedy that the Timberwolves even have in their arsenal right now. And I’m not the only one who has reached that conclusion. Here is a really succinct answer that covers the speculation that the Timberwolves can upgrade their point guard play with a trade:

So the only realistic options available to improve the Minnesota Timberwolves roster are via the NBA Draft (with limited picks) or by signing an NBA Free Agent. So how easily will that happen? I don’t think that upgrading at point guard is ever easy, let alone at eight games into the NBA season. Rosters are set, and all but the higher-risk free agents are already signed.

NBA Buy-Out Window

There will be a window that opens later in the season, as non-contenders will buy out veteran contracts which will allow those players to sign on to round out the rosters of a contender. But even that ‘plan’ is flawed, as it compels the Timberwolves to be a contender when that window opens, and even then the newly-available players are only able to round out a roster, not fix a broken one.

This season, the NBA Trade Deadline is scheduled for February 9, 2023, at 2:00 pm CT. After that point in time, NBA teams will offer buy-outs to players. That will allow the team to shave salary costs off their payroll while allowing NBA players to re-sign with new teams and perhaps compete in the NBA Playoffs.

Of course, the optimal outcome is for the Timberwolves to diagnose and self-correct the challenges that this team faces this season. Can Coach Finch pull it off?

Stay Tuned . . .