Timberwolves Trade Rumors: 3rd team needed to upgrade frontcourt

Early in the 2022-23 NBA season, in mid-October 2022, an article was published on the topic of NBA trade proposals out of Bleacher Report’s Greg Swartz has something for everyone, but at the same time has almost nothing for everyone. In the case of the Minnesota Timberwolves, there is food for thought. But unlike the Portland Trail Blazers, the Detroit Pistons, or the Utah Jazz, the trade package mentioning the Timberwolves does not come in installments or chapters.

Rather the suggested exchange is limited to the Timberwolves trading away two players to acquire one player. In this one, the Timberwolves would send power forward Taurean Prince and rookie shooting guard Wendell Moore Jr. to the San Antonio Spurs for wing Josh Richardson.

The idea, Schwartz elaborates, is to give the Minnesota Timberwolves a veteran who is NBA Playoff ready. And the San Antonio Spurs would acquire a first-round selection in Wendell Moore Jr., who is already showing flashes of incredible defense.

The problem with that trade is the inclusion of Taurean Prince, who is of little value to the San Antonio Spurs’ plans to rebuild, but is vital to the trade scenario in that it allows the salaries to balance out between the two teams.

What does that trade look like?

What I don’t like about this trade is the fact that the Timberwolves lost a current contributor and a future star, while the Spurs shed a player who has been named as a possible buyout after the NBA Trade Deadline.

So how can the Timberwolves improve the deal to deliver an upgrade today?

In this three-team trade, the Timberwolves upgrade at the power forward position, the Philadelphia 76ers lower their salary cap, and the Spurs get three younger players who can become part of their build to the future.

What about when Karl-Anthony Towns heals? Harris can slide to the small forward position as well, and the Timberwolves can focus on getting backcourt help before the playoffs as teams buy out contracts as the season comes to a close.