The Minnesota Timberwolves are one of the most slept-on teams in the NBA. They were rarely healthy last season but qualified for the playoffs where they matched up with the eventual champion Nuggets in round one. Minnesota handed Denver one of their four postseason losses and left the roster feeling like they can compete with anyone.
Anthony Edwards took another step forward leading Team USA this summer. The Wolves will also have time for Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert to mesh in the frontcourt. Minnesota has talent, but did not make a massive upgrade this offseason. They believe internal growth will be enough to make them a title challenger.
The Wolves may be a few small pieces away if they can make their frontcourt excel. They would have to pull off another blockbuster if it does not. Minnesota wants to make a deep playoff run in 2024, but how can they increase their odds?
Trades that make Minnesota Timberwolves serious title contenders
5. Wolves add 3-and-D wing to improve versatility
Minnesota has four All-Stars and an outstanding defender in Jaden McDaniels for their starting five. Kyle Anderson is a versatile bench forward, but not a high-volume 3-point shooter. Minnesota added Shake Milton and Troy Brown Jr. to go with Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Wendell Moore in hopes of improving their bench depth.
Minnesota could use another floor spacer and a strong defender. Dorian Finney-Smith is capable of starting or coming off the bench. He will knock down open jumpers and guard multiple positions. The Timberwolves need another player like Doe-Doe to round out their roster.
Finney-Smith has been on the block since the draft, and Brooklyn wants at least one first-round draft pick to clear their logjam. No offer has materialized, and Minnesota has no outright selections to offer. They could give them a pick swap and a second-rounder, but that may not be enough to convince the Nets.
Naz Reid cannot be traded until after Christmas, but the backup big man won’t have much of a role in Minnesota. He wants to be with the Timberwolves, but they could send him elsewhere for more playing time. The Nets’ interest in this trade will be determined by their early season success. If Brooklyn struggles, they could get creative with their roster, which may create an opportunity for Minnesota.
The Timberwolves have another hole on their roster to fill as well.
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.
3. Timberwolves get All-Star point guard in blockbuster
Does Minnesota go for an All-Star point guard to upgrade over Mike Conley? Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, and Rudy Gobert are the makings of a strong defensive unit, and the Timberwolves can afford to have a subpar option mixed in.
Could they pull off a superstar challenge trade? They do not happen often in the NBA, but this feels like the perfect case where both teams need to shake up their cores to take the next step. The Mavs get involved to solve the Hawks’ big-man issues in this three-team blockbuster.
Bill Simmons ranked KAT 19 spots higher than Ice Trae in his latest trade value rankings. Is that enough to garner a first-round pick from Atlanta? The Timberwolves would certainly ask, and the Hawks might just do it if they believe they cannot build a title challenger around Young.
Minnesota gives up Towns and Jordan McLaughlin to get Trae Young and two draft picks. This trade solves the Timberwolves’ ball-handling and playmaking issues, gives them another All-Star, and increases their draft capital to make future moves.
This may be the perfect trade for Minnesota, but the Hawks have resisted trading Trae Young for anything less than top dollar. The Timberwolves do not need to overpay for a defensively challenged point guard, but it is worth exploring.
2. 3-team blockbuster sees All-Stars trade places
The Pelicans are facing a crossroads season. They reached the playoffs in 2022 but failed to qualify last season. Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram have struggled to stay healthy, which has led to some disappointment in the Big Easy.
If the Pelicans fail to live up to expectations again, changes will be made. Could New Orleans decide to go in a different direction before the trade deadline? They have been searching for a center upgrade, which opens the door for a blockbuster.
KAT is an elite shooter at 6’11 and a literal cheat code on the floor. He certainly has more value than Brandon Ingram, but it may not be enough to get an additional first-rounder from the Pelicans. Minnesota also grabs Larry Nance Jr. to help round out the team’s rotation in this blockbuster.
Minnesota has no use for Jonas Valanciunas, so he gets shipped to Dallas, who is searching for a center upgrade. The Timberwolves have a scary win duo with Anthony Edwards and BI, and the move allows Rudy Gobert to lock down the center position. The Minnesota Timberwolves would certainly be contenders, but it may not be the best available move.
1. Trade KAT for Mitchell
This may be the best deal on the board. Donovan Mitchell won’t sign an extension with the Cavaliers this season. He could decide to move on, and the Cavaliers want to maximize his value.
Cleveland is still searching for wings as they look to round out their roster. The Nets need some star power after Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden departed. Minnesota wants a ball-handler and playmaker who can push them to the next level. Could all three parties fill their biggest need in one move?
KAT would play off Mikal Bridges in Brooklyn where he should get more shots and opportunities to shine. The Cavaliers get two role players for now and draft capital to further improve their roster.
The Minnesota Timberwolves receive their lead guard of the present and future. This move should make them a title contender and one of the most feared teams in the Western Conference. Rudy Gobert and company would have to cover Mitchell’s defense, but there should be zero issues there. The four-time All-Star makes them an elite offense and one of the best teams in the NBA.
Will the Wolves make a massive splash before the deadline? It is a storyline to watch, so stay tuned.
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