On Tuesday’s episode of The Hoops Collective podcast, Brian Windhorst sat down with Tim Bontemps and Tim MacMahon to discuss NBA trades and the deadline as a whole. When the Minnesota Timberwolves were brought up, Bontemps said this:
"I’m awfully curious to see if the Minnesota Timberwolves get better between now and Thursday afternoon, because if all they do is get under the luxury tax or save a bunch of money…it’s an interesting message you’re sending to your team and to your superstar guard (Anthony Edwards)."
Pretty soon, we will all have a definitive answer as to whether the Wolves make a trade to improve the team.
The TImberwolves could certainly use more scoring punch off the bench
As of this writing, the Timberwolves have made one deal prior to the trade deadline. In a three-team deal, they traded Mike Conley and received cash considerations. What the trade did is allow Minnesota to get out of the first apron, which can, in turn, open up more possibilities to make trades. Miraculously, there’s still the possibility of Conley returning as well.
Now, much of the noise surrounding Minnesota is them attempting to acquire 2-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Milwaukee Bucks. If that blockbuster trade is unable to be consummated, the Timberwolves should/need to look for other moves to improve the squad.
The Timberwolves remain the favorites to land Giannis as we approach 24 hours before the deadline pic.twitter.com/jtDKmPic7Z
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) February 4, 2026
In Wednesday’s come-from-behind victory over the Toronto Raptors, it was great to see Bones Hyland score 20 points. It’s unrealistic to expect that nightly, though, as he remains inconsistent. Naz Reid has been the one constant off the bench all season, and he and Hyland were the only 2 reserves to score for the Wolves on Wednesday. Adding a solid scorer off the bench (probably a lead guard/wing type) would help the Wolves' title odds greatly.
It’s probably at the point where the team should look to move second-year player Rob Dillingham, maybe second-year player Terrence Shannon Jr. as well. Rob hasn’t been in the rotation in quite some time, and TSJ wasn’t exactly lighting it up prior to getting hurt. Shannon Jr. hasn't played since Christmas Day. If the Timberwolves can find a way to add a rotational piece for either, they should probably make the deal.
Fans across the league are nervous to see what their favorite team does by Thursday’s 2 p.m. CT deadline. One of the more interesting teams that would absolutely benefit from a trade is the Timberwolves.