The Minnesota Timberwolves have some difficult decisions to make this season. They did not trade for Rudy Gobert to get eliminated in the first round of the playoffs. Anthony Edwards is becoming a star, and the Wolves have to build a title contender around him. Winning with two big men is difficult and could put Karl-Anthony Towns on the block.
It was a small sample size with KAT and Gobert playing together because of injury. Towns suited up for just 34 games. Minnesota could give it another chance, but ESPN believes KAT will be discussed before the trade deadline.
The Wolves would likely split up their two big men in hopes of adding at a position of need. Minnesota has internal options to pick up the slack for Towns, but who could they acquire to push them into the title picture?
Players Minnesota Timberwolves might replace Karl-Anthony Towns with by the trade deadline
5. Spencer Dinwiddie
This is the worst-case scenario for the Timberwolves. Towns has averaged just 47 games per season over the last four. If KAT is struggling to stay healthy, teams could be worried about giving up a massive haul as he begins a five-year $158.2 million extension. The Wolves may have to settle for a strong package of picks and a couple of role players if they are set on making a trade.
Dinwiddie is an underrated player. He averaged 17.3 points, 6.5 assists, 3.4 rebounds, and 0.8 steals in 34.5 minutes per game last season. The 6’5 guard is comfortable starting or being the sixth man. He shot over 40 percent from 3-point range with the Mavericks playing primarily off the ball and averaged 9.1 assists per game after being traded to the Nets. Dinwiddie can fill multiple roles and helped Dallas reach the conference finals in 2022.
The Minnesota Timberwolves want more for Karl-Anthony Towns, but getting Spencer Dinwiddie, two wings, and multiple first-round picks would be a strong enough offer to make them a contender with the draft capital to add another piece.
4. R.J. Barrett
The Knicks have been hunting a star for more than one year. Credit Leon Rose for staying patient and waiting for the right piece that makes them a true title contender, but time is running out. The Knicks have four first-round picks from other teams, but they are all over the next two drafts. Now is the time for New York to strike, and Karl-Anthony Towns may be the best player available.
The Knicks passed on Donovan Mitchell and have shown no interest in Damian Lillard or James Harden. New York is committed to Jalen Brunson at point guard, which leaves them searching for a star wing or big man. Joel Embiid and Giannis Antetokounmpo are their dream targets, but what if both remain happy in their current situations?
The Minnesota Timberwolves would have to pluck R.J. Barrett in any deal with the New York Knicks. The 23-year-old has scored over 19.5 points for two straight years and has potential on both ends of the floor. Barrett could be an All-Star in his prime and form a dynamic wing duo with Anthony Edwards in the Twin City.
The number three overall pick is still developing. He rated as a below-replacement-level player by VORP and below average in win shares per 48 minutes last season. R.J. Barrett is far from a star right now, but he did help the Knicks reach the second round of the playoffs. It was a positive and his ceiling makes a trade intriguing.
3. Chris Paul
The Timberwolves need a point guard. Mike Conley played well after being acquired from Utah, but he turns 36 before opening night. His minutes have been down in recent years, and Minnesota is relying on Jordan McLaughlin and Shake Milton to back him up. If Conley misses time, the Wolves could have ball-handling and playmaking issues.
The two sides could be swapping issues at the deadline. Chris Paul has been traded twice this offseason. He went from Phoenix to Washington D.C. in the Bradley Beal deal before being traded to the Bay Area for Jordan Poole. Can CP3 fit on the Warriors? He may have to accept a bench role for the first time in his career and find ways to fit into their free-flowing system. If Paul struggles, the Dubs may look to move on.
Golden State is all-in on winning another championship with Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Klay Thompson. It would be a hefty price to acquire KAT, but imagine the 6’11 big man flying off screens and nailing threes like the third Splash Brother? The Warriors could unlock a new level in Towns.
Paul is 38 and has struggled to stay healthy in recent years. It would be a massive gamble acquiring him in a trade for KAT, but the Minnesota Timberwolves may not have a ton of options. CP3 fills a need and improves their odds of making a deep playoff run for the first time since 2004 and just the second time in franchise history.
2. Kyrie Irving
The Mavericks imploded after acquiring Irving last season. They were fifth in the Western Conference on Feb. 6 and were in the top three just three days earlier. Dallas finished 11th and did not even qualify for the Play-In Tournament. It was frustrating for everyone involved.
Kyrie signed a three-year $126 million extension with the Mavs this summer, but how long can they keep him happy? Irving is no stranger to drama and has forced his way off three different teams in the past. The Mavs will be focused on keeping Luka happy, so the eight-time All-Star will have to go if things don’t improve in Dallas.
This would be a desperate move, but one with massive upside. Kyrie was an All-Star and produced outstanding numbers last season. His talent is unquestionable, but he comes with a few red flags.
The Minnesota Timberwolves with Anthony Edwards, Kyrie Irving, and Rudy Gobert would be feared, especially if Ant Mat leaps superstar status this season. Gobert could anchor the defense and catch lobs as the star guards carve up the defense.
Would Kyrie be willing to come to the Twin City? That could be a tough sell, but his options could be limited after all the drama that has followed him in recent years.
1. Paul George
The LA Clippers are another team at a crossroads. When Kawhi Leonard and Paul George teamed up in the summer of 2019, the franchise was supposed to be an annual title contender and one of the most feared teams in the league. They made it to the conference finals in 2021, but have been mostly disappointing and not in the lineup.
George is averaging just 47.2 games over the last four seasons and has had injuries at the worst times. He missed the Play-In Tournament in 2022 and the playoffs last season. The Clippers can extend Kawhi and PG as they enter the final year before their player options, but do they want to?
Karl-Anthony Towns is no stranger to missed games but is five years younger. LA desperately needs some youth to freshen their roster. Could they gamble on KAT as the Wolves take a chance on Paul George staying healthy? Both are elite when on the floor and could be strong fits in new cities. If PG13 is on the floor, no team would want to face Minnesota in the playoffs.
Do the Minnesota Timberwolves trade KAT before February’s deadline? It would take a massive offer that can help them contend right away. It will be hard to find, but stay tuned to see how it all shakes out.
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