The Minnesota Timberwolves and now the Dallas Mavericks are in far different places than they were a year ago. After the Mavs unbelievably traded away Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday night, Dallas will have a completely different outlook on their season moving forward. No one could have seen this scenario unfolding the way it did.
In a way, this development should serve to provide comfort to Timberwolves fans. Less than nine months ago, they were of course in the Western Conference Finals and going up against the Mavericks. A championship was within reach for both squads. A few short months later, at the end of the offseason, Minnesota made their infamous Karl-Anthony Towns trade.
Of course, the move was mourned by the franchise since it dealt away one of the team's most beloved cornerstones that fully embraced representing the team in a way that few had in the past. Many around the league crushed the Timberwolves for the move, even if it was a deal they ultimately agreed to for financial reasons. Breaking apart a conference finals squad did not appear to be something that was likely to benefit the team in the long-term.
The Luka Doncic trade can provide solace to Timberwolves fans
But now, we are seeing a similar situation of a far worse magnitude unfold for the Dallas Mavericks. Trading Doncic is far more unthinkable than trading Towns ever was. KAT had been featured in trade talks for literal years, while everyone was convinced Luka would be a Maverick for life. Now, Dallas must face the reality of life without their former franchise superstar.
All this should serve to calm the nerves of Wolves fans about losing Karl-Anthony Towns, if just for a brief minute. It is a stark reminder of how harsh life in the NBA can be at times. And frankly, Mavericks fans have it worse than the Timberwolves fanbase now. This deal for them is essentially the equivalent of if Minnesota had traded Anthony Edwards back in September rather than KAT.
We also remember just how well the Timberwolves organization handled making that trade that swapped Towns and Julius Randle. Tim Connelly personally went to KAT's house to give a player that he didn't even draft the news ahead of time. Dallas completely blindsided their star.
So essentially what I am saying is this: take a deep breath, Wolves fans. You can take a lot of comfort in simply not being the Mavs right now.