The Minnesota Timberwolves are searching for a reliable co-star alongside Anthony Edwards. However, what can't get lost is that the Wolves also must bolster their depth. In the modern NBA, you need both star power and depth to win at the highest level.
Everyone understands that the Wolves need a better second option alongside Ant. Equally as important (and often less discussed), though, is the need for a more productive bench. This past season, the Wolves ranked 21st in bench points, and in the playoffs, they were lucky if they had seven productive players on any given night.
Donte DiVincenzo will be sidelined for at the very least most of next year, which furthers the need for the Wolves to upgrade their bench.
Trading for both more star power and depth will be a tricky (but not entirely impossible) task for the Timberwolves.
Adding a top-tier star would crush the Timberwolves' depth
Minnesota's star dreams somewhat conflict with their need to add depth, especially the idea of adding a top-tier star.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is the biggest name that the Timberwolves will be linked to. A trade is unlikely given the Wolves' lack of draft capital, but if they can hypothetically pull off a move for Giannis, it will surely gut their depth.
Likewise, the path to trading for Kawhi Leonard while upgrading your depth is nearly impossible.
When stars of this caliber are available, it's worth exploring a move. Nevertheless, in the end, a trade for a lesser (yet still high-level) star, along with another move for depth, could benefit the Timberwolves more. This is also the more likely outcome given the Wolves' lack of high-end assets.
How the Timberwolves can add a star and improve their depth
If the Wolves trade for a star below this top tier, accomplishing the goal of giving Ant a second option and adding depth is possible.
To me, the clearest path would be trading Julius Randle in a depth-based deal and then trading Rudy Gobert for a co-star or vice versa.
Frankly, I don't think you can accomplish the goal of adding star power and depth without trading these two. That is, unless you trade one of the members of your sub-26 core, which is an unlikely and foolish scenario.
The dream trade target for myself and many other fans is Kyrie Irving. A big part of this is his seamless fit alongside Edwards, and he could prove to be the missing piece for their title hopes. Furthermore, though, Kyrie wouldn't require the Wolves to cut their depth.
We will have to see how willing the Dallas Mavericks are to trade Kyrie, but if they are, the Wolves have a couple of paths to pull off a move. A Kyrie-Wolves trade could be a three-team deal centered around Gobert or a package centered around Randle, Terrence Shannon Jr., and possibly the No. 28 pick.
In either event, the Timberwolves could then look to trade Gobert or Randle in a depth-centric trade. A blockbuster deal with both Gobert and Randle, where the Wolves get Kyrie and depth, is another possibility.
If it's not Kyrie, Dejounte Murray would be an ideal backcourt partner for Edwards, and I think the New Orleans Pelicans could covet Gobert. From there, trading Randle for some depth seems realistic. You could say something similar about a move for Tyler Herro, who could be swapped for Randle.
There's a scenario, though, where the Timberwolves can't find an All-Star-level player in a deal centered around either Gobert or Randle. In this unfortunate event, they'd have to simply prioritize depth, which would leave them devoid of a classic No. 2 option alongside Ant.
Now, it's possible Jaden McDaniels could be that if he's given more responsibilities in the offense. Still, that would be a risky proposition.
Overall, the Timberwolves' best path to making a championship-level leap involves adding both depth and an All-Star talent, which should make them prioritize two separate deals for Randle and Gobert over chasing a top-tier star.
Add us as a preferred source on Google