If you recall, the Timberwolves and Knicks made their blockbuster trade late into the 2024 offseason. With Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo joining the team with little time to spare before the regular season, it proved to be challenging from the start.
It took the 2 newcomers some time to get acclimated, and Minnesota was a middling team for the first half of the season (went 22-21 in their first 43 games). With trade rumors beginning to swirl now, it may be in the Timberwolves’ best interest to get a deal done sooner rather than later, if they choose to make one, as the trade deadline is less than two months away.
Reported to have checked in on Coby White
On Thursday, Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times reported that the Timberwolves have checked in on Bulls guard Coby White. Now, that doesn’t mean a trade is imminent. Teams are going to do their due diligence to see what players may become available at some point. Chicago has not been deemed as sellers, but after a 5-0 start, they are just 4-14 since (with a current seven-game losing streak).
If the Timberwolves do end up moving forward on a deal for White or another guard (or anyone at any position), after what happened last season, getting a deal quicker would be beneficial. With the trade deadline being on February 5, the playoffs begin a little over two months after that.
Doing a trade with time to spare would allow the new player(s) further time to get acclimated with the Timberwolves. The goal would be to have whatever new players are acquired by Minnesota be fully comfortable come postseason time.
Randle and DiVincenzo improved as last season went along
It was evident that both Randle or DiVincenzo (and probably more so DiVincenzo) were caught off guard by their late offseason trade, and it didn't seem like something that they wanted to happen. Both players saw their efficiency improve greatly after the All-Star break, after being with their new team for some time. Randle, who previously struggled greatly in the playoffs with the Knicks, had his best postseason.
In Cowley’s report, he also mentions that he heard from sources that the Timberwolves are aiming to add a lead guard as soon as they can. Knowing how new trade pieces can sometimes take some time to play at their best with their new team, that line of thinking makes sense.
Expect plenty more rumors involving Minnesota and guards rumored on the trade block until a trade is consummated.