Any observer of the NBA is probably aware that the Timberwolves could use an upgrade at point guard. Mike Conley is aging and Rob Dillingham isn’t panning out.
So any point guard rumored to be on the move is likely to be linked to Minnesota. In Marc Stein's latest Substack article, he spoke about potential trade candidates. The latest name to pop up for the Wolves, via Stein, is James Harden. Just like some of the other notable lead guards that some believe could be available, it doesn’t seem like any of them are the answer for the Wolves.
None of the star point guards seem like a great fit
First, let me state that Harden, or any of the other players I am about to mention, is better than any point guard currently rostered by the Timberwolves. That isn’t up for debate. What is up for debate, if any, would be part of the answer to helping Minnesota earn its first-ever championship.
Harden is 36 years old with a player option worth about $42.3 million next year. At his age, you would think he might opt in, but perhaps if traded to Minnesota, it would be a team/location he wouldn’t want to stay in. He’s actually having his most productive scoring season since 2019-20, but it’s also on a 6-21 Clippers team.
Now in his sixth year since being selected third overall by the Hornets, LaMelo Ball’s next playoff game will be his first. The 24-year-old has already missed 10 games this season and played in just 105 of a possible 246 in the previous 3 years. It has been an inefficient scoring season for Ball, and he still has 3 years remaining on a deal that will pay him more than $130.5 million.
Ja Morant has made fewer than 20 percent of his 3-point tries this season. The 26-year-old was clearly unhappy with coaching early in the season, although that narrative has quieted of late. Could the Grizzlies still deal Ja? The fact that they are 8-5 without him and 5-9 with him certainly makes it a possibility. Morant has two years left remaining on his contract for approximately $87 million.
A sprained MCL sidelined Trae Young for 22 straight outings before he finally returned on Thursday. The Hawks went 13-9 without him (now 2-4 with him), and Jalen Johnson further cemented his case of becoming the new best player on Atlanta. Now 27 years old, Young and the Hawks weren’t able to come to terms on an extension, thus he will be a free agent after the season if he declines his player option for 2026-27. His defensive struggles have been talked about ad nauseam throughout his career.
May have to give up Julius Randle to get one
What do these four also have in common, other than seeing their names as potential trade candidates? They are all ball-dominant players. The Timberwolves, of course, roster Anthony Edwards. He is clearly someone who needs the ball in his hands often. Would any of these point guards acquiesce to Edwards? I’m skeptical of the fit for any of them.
Also, any trade for any of these players would likely need to involve Julius Randle (or Naz Reid, or Rudy Gobert). Draft capital (which Minnesota is lacking in abundance) and another player or two would likely need to be included. Ask yourself if any of those players mentioned are worth that.
I agree that looking for a point guard should be something the Timberwolves do. Unfortunately, the ones that would be no-brainers to attempt to acquire (Luka Doncic, Jalen Brunson, Tyrese Maxey, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, etc.) have no chance of becoming available before the trade deadline.
The Timberwolves may need to look for a lesser-known, lesser-paid lead guard to deal for. Someone like Tre Jones wouldn’t be a sexy add, but he could certainly help solve some of Minnesota’s point guard issues.