Possible Timberwolves trade partners on/after Dec. 15

The Minnesota Timberwolves are in a precarious position right now. The team has hopes of earning a berth in the NBA Playoffs at the conclusion of the 2022-23 NBA season. But holding a record of 11-12 after the first 23 of 82 games is not going to cut it. The Timberwolves roster may need to prune some underperformers, and graft in some upgrades, before too long.

That could pose a challenge. Teams with players worth acquiring are in the hunt to improve their rosters as well. Teams with poor records, who are already forced to come to grips that this just isn’t their year, are a bit roster starved of the types of players who could upgrade the Timberwolves in time to help their postseason possibilities.

Well, thankfully, there are a few teams who may fit that description.

Orlando Magic

The Orlando Magic have already dropped to one of four NBA teams with an NBA low of seven wins. It has been worse, if not for their two-game winning streak. That won’t change this team’s trajectory. But the Orlando Magic does hold some intriguing players. Former top-pick Markelle Fultz is a great facilitator, can hit all shots and is equally effective in his offense on-ball or off-ball.

Best of all, he is getting almost no work on the Magic’s roster. Could the Magic consider a trade now to get Fultz’s hefty contract off their books in future years? Perhaps. It’s worth a call.

Detroit Pistons

The Detroit Pistons are another NBA team that is struggling right out of the gates this season, and as a result, could be interested in a bit of roster wheeling and dealing. The Pistons player who catches my eye is wing Kevin Knox, whose perimeter shot and rebounding is respectable, particularly for a player who is getting limited playing time.

The Pistons may be willing to part ways with a rotational player for a future second-round pick and one of the shooters who is struggling to score from the perimeter: Namely Bryn Forbes or Austin Rivers.

Houston Rockets

The Houston Rockets are another team that is bumping along at the bottom of the NBA right now, and the team has no delusions of competing for a playoff berth this season. But like many NBA teams, there are some gems on the roster. One such promising player of the future is Usman Garuba. While in his second season, he has already gotten a huge ability to nail his three-pointers.

Of course, the Rockets undoubtedly have plans to include him in their future. But would the Rockets part with him if the Timberwolves offer a pair of players? What if one such player is equally promising young power forward Josh Minott? Pairing Bryn Forbes and Minott for Garuba could be enough to entice the Rockets to trade a solid contributor.

There are many other teams that could be quite interested in trading for some of the key contributors on the Timberwolves roster right now. But let’s not be too hasty, as the Minnesota Timberwolves would be foolish to trade any major player before they have a chance to showcase their talents in the NBA Playoffs. But marginal players? Well, that’s fair game.

Which teams do you expect could be potential NBA Trade partners for the Minnesota Timberwolves? Let us know in the comments section.