Purple Haze: Taurean Prince continues trend for Wolves-loving Lakers

When the Minnesota Timberwolves traded for Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert, the Wolves’ compensation package could not be first-round draft picks alone, as the NBA rules restrict any team trades that push too much salary in one direction. And so, the following players were included as part of that trade package to balance out the massive Gobert salary:

1. SG Malik Beasley
2. PF Jarred Vanderbilt
3. PG Patrick Beverley
4. C Walker Kessler
5. F Leandro Bolmaro

Of the group, veteran PG Patrick Beverley was the first player to be traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. Forward Leandro Bomaro was eventually cut from the Jazz roster. And rookie center Walker Kessler played very well for the Jazz and remains on their roster.  Patrick Beverley was eventually cut from the Lakers roster.

But at the 2023 NBA Trade Deadline, the Timberwolves would trade with both the Los Angeles Lakers and the Utah Jazz in a trade that would get the Timberwolves both veteran PG Mike Conley Jr. and young wing  Nickeil Alexander-Walker. During that trade, the Timberwolves would send veteran PG D’Angelo Russell to the Los Angeles Lakers.  So far, much of this story is familiar to most Minnesota Timberwolves fans.

The Lakers love ex-Wolves

But two other players would be on the move during that exchange. The Jazz also sent SG Malik Beasley and forward Jarred Vanderbilt to the Lakers as part of that three-team trade.

Recently, to clear salary cap space and avoid a $7.4 million overpay for another year of power forward Taurean Prince, the Timberwolves did not pick up the team option on his contract. Considering their track record, it came as no surprise when the Los Angeles Lakers were the first on the scene and immediately scooped up Prince for their roster.

That established two Wolves players on the Lakers roster in Taurean Prince and Jarred Vanderbilt, and two  free agents in D’Angelo Russell and Malik Beasley

But it would not remain that way, as the very next day . . .

So to sum it all up, in the past year, the Los Angeles Lakers have traded for or signed:

1. SG Malik Beasley
2. PF Jarred Vanderbilt
3. PG Patrick Beverley
4. PF Taurean Prince
5. PG D’Angelo Russell

(Bold denotes players on their roster)

The Lakers want to build an NBA Championship roster to take advantage of veteran LeBron James’ remaining NBA playing time.  The Timberwolves were unable to build a winner with those players. Will the Lakers have any better luck?

I believe that the Timberwolves reluctantly included Vanderbilt in the trade to the Jazz, and were interested in re-signing Prince to the roster at a more affordable price point. But it’s becoming obvious that the Lakers are interested in adding any former Timberwolves player to their roster.