5 Trades that make Timberwolves serious title contenders

Minnesota Timberwolves, Karl-Anthony Towns. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
Minnesota Timberwolves, Karl-Anthony Towns. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota Timberwolves, Cole Anthony, Jaden McDaniels. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Wolves take a swing on young Magic guard

The Timberwolves have a hole at point guard behind Mike Conley. Jordan McLaughlin and Shake Milton were not trusted in their team’s playoff rotations last year. Minnesota needs someone else who can run their offense, especially with Conley best suited for a 30-minute per-game role at 35 years old.

Damian Lillard and Jrue Holiday have found new homes. James Harden is the best available point guard, but the Timberwolves won’t have interest there. Their best bet at this stage is acquiring a backup looking for an expanded role. The Magic have too many guards, and Cole Anthony is rumored to be on the trade block.

This offer relies on the Magic being out of options in trading Anthony. Markelle Fultz appears to be their starting point guard with rookie top-ten pick Anthony Black and Jalen Suggs hungry for minutes. Suggs is a better defender than Anthony, which could be the deciding factor for Orlando.

The Magic get a capable bench wing and a 2030 first-round pick swap. It is a low offer, but trading someone outside of your nightly rotation won’t get massive offers. Teams will attempt to buy low with second-round picks, which could open the door for Minnesota.

If the Magic say no, the point guard market could be difficult to crack unless the Minnesota Timberwolves are willing to go into blockbuster territory.