Timberwolves Rumors: Mike Conley Jr. tops list of PG targets
By Bret Stuter
Trade option II: T.J. McConnell
The Timberwolves would benefit significantly from the impact of a veteran PG like T.J. McConnell. The problem is that the Indiana Pacers like what they have in him right now. And with the Pacers flirting with an NBA Playoff berth of their own, there may not be much interest in dealing away a solid contributor and backup point guard at this point in time.
But there is the rub. McConnell is a backup point guard for the Pacers, appearing in 42 games and yet averaging just 17.9 minutes, 6.6 points, 2.7 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.1 steals per game. So why isn’t he starting? He is playing behind PG Tyrese Haliburton and Andrew Nembhard, which makes him stuck on the depth chart. If the Timberwolves had a frontcourt player to offer, say a Taurean Prince, that could get the Pacers’ attention long enough to make the trade.
McConnell could be a starting PG for the Timberwolves. And the Timberwolves could net pick in the trade as well.
Trade Option I: Markelle Fultz
A chance to resurrect the tarnished NBA career of Markelle Fultz may be something the Timberwolves want to tackle. Right now, Fultz is the on-again, off-again point guard starter for the Orlando Magic. He is a young versatile guard who can play point guard or off the ball as a shooting guard. While he has never lived up to the number one player selected in the 2017 NBA Draft, he has managed to reclaim a bit of respect with his recent efforts.
He can score, and he most certainly can distribute the basketball to the open shooter. But he has yet to perfect any resemblance to an NBA three-point shot, which lowers his value to the NBA and to the Timberwolves. But it’s that tarnished upside which could deflate Fultz into the Minnesota Timberwolves price range.