The Minnesota Timberwolves are facing a crucial season. They finished two games over .500 last year, but Karl-Anthony Towns played just 29 regular-season games. The Wolves survived the Play-In Tournament only to be bounced in the first round of the playoffs by the eventual champion Nuggets. They went all-in and traded for Rudy Gobert, but does that pairing work?
Minnesota knew they needed more talent and believed Gobert would make up for Towns’ defensive deficiencies. There have been mixed results so far, but it is a small sample.
Playing two big men is zigging when every other team is zagging. The league is going small and playing bigs off the floor in the playoffs. If Minnesota believes it cannot win with a KAT and Gobert frontcourt, especially as Anthony Edwards becomes a superstar, how can the Timberwolves break them up?
Trades Minnesota Timberwolves should make to split up Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert
5. Wolves get pieces and picks for KAT
Minnesota has a strong core and is just a few pieces away from being title contenders. Ant-Man is becoming a superstar, and the Timberwolves need him to be the alpha. They won’t get what they paid in return for Gobert, so trading Karl-Anthony Towns for a wing or point guard makes the most sense.
Can the Timberwolves get into contention just by adding pieces? Sending Towns to the Nets could allow Minnesota to pick up draft capital and a couple of capable rotation players that better fit their roster.
Dinwiddie and Finney-Smith helped the Mavericks reach the conference finals in 2022. Finney-Smith is a strong 3-and-D wing that won’t command the ball and is willing to guard any player on the floor. Dinwiddie adds ball-handling and playmaking. He is comfortable being the sixth man or starting in the backcourt and has plus-size.
The Timberwolves also get three first-round picks to use in future trades. Adding Dinwiddie and Doe-Doe to their top seven of Edwards, Gobert, Mike Conley, Kyle Anderson, and Jaden McDaniels is a strong group, and Minnesota can trade for a point guard upgrade if Conley declines further.
The Minnesota Timberwolves hope to get more for KAT and could hold out for a player that pushes them closer to title contention.
4. 3-teamer sends KAT to Atlanta
The Hawks are looking to upgrade their roster around Trae Young and Dejounte Murray to become true title contenders. They moved on from John Collins, and there have been plenty of rumors about Atlanta adding a third star. The Hawks are set in the backcourt, so their options are limited.
The Timberwolves would not want Clint Capela, so this would have to be a three-team trade. Atlanta upgrades at the five as Minnesota adds wing depth and draft capital. It hinges on finding a team to take Capela, and the Mavericks are searching for a new starting center.
This is the worst return for Towns on the board. The Hawks only have two first-round picks and three swaps to offer Minnesota with De’Andre Hunter, who Atlanta has shopped this offseason. The Timberwolves flip Capela for Tim Hardaway Jr. and two second-round picks, which again feels light.
This would be a panic move by the Minnesota Timberwolves. They would be no closer to contention and do not get enough draft capital to acquire a third star. The Wolves should only make this deal if they have another trade lined up using the draft capital and some of their own to acquire a difference-making point guard or wing.
3. Gobert goes to New Orleans
This trade is unlikely because the Timberwolves acquire four players and give up two. Those deals are tough to make during the season because rosters are full, and players have to be waived to make the deal. This move cannot happen until after Jan. 15 because Herbert Jones has a trade restriction after signing an extension with the Pelicans this summer.
New Orleans wants to upgrade at the five and rim protection is at the top of their wish list. They could be willing to go all-in on Gobert, but the Pelicans would need someone to take Jonas Valanciunas’ expiring contract.
The Spurs are the perfect fit as they look for a big man to make life easier for Victor Wembanyama.
Minnesota picks up three rotation-ready wings, a skilled backup big man, and three first-round picks. They would be a bit unbalanced and desperately need a point guard, but primed to use the picks to acquire one.
Dealing the draft capital for a star ball-handler and playmaker could quickly make the Minnesota Timberwolves one of the deepest and most dangerous teams in the NBA. They would have to figure out their defense with KAT at the five, but creating a strong perimeter unit around him may do the trick.
This is a bold move for the Wolves as they sell Rudy Gobert for less than what they paid, but it may become necessary if their current big-man duo is not working.
2. Wolves get CP3 in Towns blockbuster
The Warriors acquired Chris Paul this summer in a surprise blockbuster that saw Jordan Poole head to Washington. It created questions about CP3’s fit in Golden State and how he will blend the Dubs’ core. Paul loves to run pick and rolls and attack the mid-range. Does he find a niche in the Bay Area? CP3 may have to come off the bench for the first time in his career and accept a lesser role, which won’t be seamless.
Golden State is concerned about future finances. They are facing a massive tax bill and are well over the second apron. The Dubs are focused on title contention, but for how long? Do they continue spending or try to trim their payroll? Golden State throws caution to the wind here and goes all-in on another championship.
Minnesota gets a massive haul for KAT that could help them contend immediately. Having a healthy CP3 run their offense should create plenty of easy buckets for Ant-Man and Rudy Gobert. GPII is a stout defender that fits right into the rotation, and the Timberwolves get draft capital to make more moves.
This is a gamble. The Minnesota Timberwolves would have to believe Chris Paul can stay healthy throughout the playoffs, and this is enough draft capital to add a key wing. It could pay off, but the franchise would love to get more for Karl-Anthony Towns.
1. KAT heads to Big Apple
Towns has been most linked to the New York Knicks this summer. They want to trade for a star and have the draft capital to accomplish it. How much can Minnesota get out of the Knicks?
New York has plenty of options in the salary-matching department. The Timberwolves have to choose between R.J. Barrett and Julius Randle as the centerpiece before nailing down what ancillary pieces are involved. Minnesota opts for additional draft capital to make further moves in this deal.
Barrett has averaged 19.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.9 assists in the last two seasons combined and just turned 23 in June. He could blossom into an All-Star. The Wolves also get Mitch Rob with the picks. Robinson could be used in a future trade or become part of their big-man rotation. Either way, the Knicks give up enough that Minnesota can hunt for a star point guard on the trade market.
The Minnesota Timberwolves are in no rush to trade Karl-Anthony Towns or Rudy Gobert, but they could reach that point before February’s deadline. It is difficult to play two big men as other teams focus on floor spacing. The Wolves may be forced to make a deal, and the return will determine their future, so stay tuned.