10 Dream trade targets for the Timberwolves (and what'd it cost to acquire them)
By Austin McGee
5. Alec Burks
What it'd cost: Wings who can shoot, second-round draft capital
Another Detroit Piston makes the list. Spoiler alert! He won't be the last. Unlike his Detroit counterpart Morris, Alec Burks operates as an off-guard. He's spent time as a primary ball-handler in the past, but he's better suited as a spot-up shooter and slasher.
Burks is a fantastic offensive player. He may not be the most efficient, but efficiency is harder to come by on his current squad. Oddly enough, Burks' field goal percentage takes a dip the closer he gets to the rim.
He's a far better catch-and-shoot and pull-up player at this stage in his career than anything else. Burks is shooting 38.8 percent on his spot-up opportunities and above 40 percent on pull-ups.
As impressive as it is abnormal, Burks is one of four players in the NBA to have a higher 3-point percentage than field goal percentage. More than three-fifths of Burks' field goal attempts are from long-range. Perhaps, he should increase his 3-point volume a step further to increase efficiency.
A move to Minnesota would likely shift his shot profile. If he were to become a Timberwolf, he'd rank second on the team in 3-point attempts per game, despite averaging less time than seven Wolves.
Burks is a player whom Minnesota should covet. A bottom-five squad team in terms of 3-point attempts, the Timberwolves are conversely second in the association in 3-point percentage. In terms of wide-open triples (no defender within 6 feet), the Timberwolves pace the league at 41.8 percent. The looks are there; there just needs to be more of them.
Acquiring Burks would look similar to acquiring Morris. Already eyeing the draft lottery, additional draft capital and youth are most important for a bad Pistons team.