Entering his third season, Orlando Magic guard Anthony Black is seen as a possible trade candidate. Recently, on the Game Theory Podcast, Sam Vecenie mentioned Black has one of his most underrated trade targets and specifically listed the Minnesota Timberwolves as a possible landing spot.
Vecenie and his co-host, Bryce Simon, wisely noted this isn't something the Wolves should necessarily be eyeing right now, with Rob Dillingham, Terrence Shannon Jr., and Jaylen Clark poised for bigger roles. However, if some of these young players struggle this season, trading for Black could be an ideal fallback option.
Bleacher Report previously linked Black to Minnesota in a mock trade. Their trade proposal wasn't seen as ideal since the Wolves would be giving up on Dillingham. Regardless, Black is an intriguing young player who can fit with the Wolves if the need for a trade arises.
Black could be on the move
Black was the sixth overall pick in 2023. After a disappointing rookie season, the 6-foot-7 guard showed plenty of positive flashes in his second season. He averaged 24.2 minutes, 9.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 3.1 assists on 42.3/31.8/76.1 shooting splits.
However, with Desmond Bane, Tyus Jones, and Jase Richardson all in the mix now, along with Jalen Suggs being fully healthy, Black could see a reduced role. Vecenie and Simon discussed how the Magic's guard depth, Black's lack of shooting, and the desire to get below the tax threshold could ultimately lead to a Black trade. Admittedly, the logic is pretty sound, and it seems fairly likely that Black goes on the trade market.
Black's fit with the Wolves
Black is a well-rounded guard with excellent positional size. His versatile defense and connective playmaking are undoubtedly Black's best traits. For a Wolves team that could use more guard depth, Black is a logical target if Dillingham, Shannon, or Clark struggle.
It's worth wondering if Black is capable of being a lead guard. Nevertheless, he has an exciting all-around skill set and plenty of upside at 21. If the Wolves' young talent underperforms to start the season, Black would be a logical and attainable trade target.
While Black's 3-point shooting is a concern, the Wolves can insulate this flaw as they ranked fifth in made 3-pointers last season. Additionally, Black fits in perfectly with the Wolves' defensive-minded culture. His blend of size and playmaking fills a clear void for the Wolves.
During their conversation, Vecenie and Simon debated whether Black would be worth a low-value first-round pick. The Wolves could trade their 2026 first-round pick, which projects to be toward the end of the first round. Another possibility is that they trade multiple second-round picks to get Black.
There's likely another scenario where Black doesn't get traded this season, and the Wolves' young players thrive, yet Minnesota still needs another guard and targets Black. It's feasible that Mike Conley retires after this season, and the Wolves look at a younger guard option, making Black a logical candidate. Overall, Black's fit with the Wolves is highly intriguing, and there are multiple scenarios where he could end up in Minnesota.