It was nearly four years ago when the Minnesota Timberwolves made a blockbuster trade to acquire center Rudy Gobert from the Utah Jazz. That trade saw Minnesota trade away some players along with a bevy of picks to Utah, including first-round picks in 2027 and 2029. Trading a future first-round pick and a pick swap for Rob Dillingham further gutted their draft capital.
When Minnesota traded for Ayo Dosunmu in February, they didn’t have to give up any first-rounders, but instead dealt away four second-round picks. This year, they are scheduled to have the 28th and 59th picks, barring a trade.
On Wednesday, ESPN’s Bobby Marks posted a tiered rankings list of future draft assets for all 30 teams. Near the bottom of the list is the Timberwolves, which will make it harder for them to pull off another blockbuster trade that many fans would love to see them make in order to try to get to contender status.
Timberwolves do not have a full treasure trove of draft picks
There are seven tiers on Marks’ list, and the only team on the bottom tier is the Denver Nuggets. Along with the Timberwolves, five other teams are in Tier 6: the Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, Orlando Magic, and Phoenix Suns.
Trading for Gobert did raise both the floor and ceiling for the Wolves as they are in the middle of their most successful era. It also made it more difficult to make another large deal to increase the chances of making that final step and reaching their first-ever NBA Finals.
The only future first-round pick they can trade this summer (along with pick No. 28 this year) is many years away in 2033. However, their 2028 pick can be used in a pick swap.
The move that was talked about ad nauseam near this year’s trade deadline and will likely be talked about just as much in the summer by the fanbase would be the Timberwolves doing what is needed to bring in Giannis Antetokounmpo.
It seems likely that the two-time MVP will be dealt, and Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Jimmy Haslam says he would like it to be resolved by June’s draft. The problem is, in my opinion, that at least one other team will be able to provide the Bucks with a better trade package.
Tim Connelly spoke at his exit interview about needing to be creative to find ways to improve the roster. That is the case for Minnesota as they are a likely apron team (as long as they re-sign Dosunmu) and don't have many picks they could deal.
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