If the Minnesota Timberwolves don't get one of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kawhi Leonard, or Kyrie Irving, it makes sense for them to get someone who fits along Anthony Edwards' timeline. There are a few guys who check this box that might be available, notably Ja Morant. But the Wolves should look at another member of the 2019 draft class who has been written off in recent years due to injury concerns.
Zion Williamson is maybe one of the most unguardable players in the sport, going downhill. His blend of speed and power is enough to overmatch the toughest of defenders. But a slew of injuries have caused him to seem damaged goods to the average fan, despite having a relatively healthy season last year.
He has yet to play playoff minutes in his career due to these injuries, but if the Wolves can get him for cheap, he could be the star the Wolves need that not only can get them over the hump, but can grow with the young core that Minnesota already has in place.
The Pelicans should be looking to move Zion, and his ceiling should pique the Wolves' interest
The New Orleans Pelicans had a dreadful season in every sense of the word. They traded their unprotected first-round pick in the draft this year during last year's draft for Derik Queen, to be at the bottom of the Western Conference all season. Queen showed flashes of being a building block, but he doesn't fit with Williamson at all.
What's even more jarring is that the Pelicans were horrible, and that was with Williamson having a relatively healthy season. Given the assets they put into Queen, along with young point guard Jeremiah Fears, another rebuild looks to be in the cards. After Zion managed to stay healthy for most of the season, they could look to strike while the iron is hot, and the Wolves should definitely pick up the phone.
Defense will always be a question mark, and so will injuries, but when he's on the court, he might be one of the five most unguardable players in the sport. He has the speed of a point guard and the power of an NFL linebacker. To be able to get someone that dominant for 75 cents on the dollar should no doubt raise Tim Connelly's eyebrows.
Zion Williamson has lots of risk, but the upside may be worth the gamble
With the Wolves' lack of draft assets and presumedly unwillingness to move off of key young pieces, any star the Wolves trade for is going to have some level of risk. Whether it is an injury-prone guy, or someone on the older side, or both, the Wolves will need to decide which of those choices is worth it.
With Zion, the risk is definitely the injuries. He's had numerous seasons in his career where he's missed extended time with soft tissue injuries, but if the Wolves believe that their medical team, combined with a change of scenery, can keep him on the court, it could be too good a talent to pass up on.
One of the biggest selling points to get Zion could be that his best basketball may still be in front of him. He's only 25 years old, so getting a former generational talent (who clearly still has that talent when healthy) that can grow with the Wolves' current young core might be worth it.
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