2 Trade deadline moves that would boost Timberwolves, 2 moves they must avoid
By Austin McGee
Boost: Fortifying the bench
The chemistry of the Timberwolves starting five is a sight to behold. The starting quintet ranks seventh in the NBA in plus/minus of all lineups to play 250 or more minutes together this season.
Furthermore, the quintet of Conley, Edwards, McDaniels, Towns, and Gobert is extremely efficient. They rank in the top five of field goal, 3-point, and free throw percentage of five-man lineups to meet the aforementioned minute threshold.
Not toying with the starting lineup is a foregone conclusion. The Minnesota bench is what needs the most work. The starters rank near the top of the league, sixth, with a 5.0 plus/minus. The Timberwolves' bench isn't far off, recording the 10th-best plus/minus of all bench units.
While the plus/minus isn't concerning, the lack of counting stats is. The Minnesota bench ranks in the bottom 10 of all teams in points, rebounds, and turnovers per game.
Only one bench player averages more than 7.0 points per game for the Wolves. A backup point guard is needed for Minnesota, but so are additional pieces to fortify the reserve unit. As of now, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Kyle Anderson, and Reid are the only reliable contributors off the pine.
Adding another guard seems to be the best bet. Players such as Alec Burks, Spencer Dinwiddie, Moses Moody, Jordan Clarkson, Joe Harris, and Buddy Hield all make sense as viable trade candidates for Minnesota.