It's unclear how the Minnesota Timberwolves will go about upgrading their roster this summer. Sure, the Wolves have been linked to stars, but their options are already dwindling and they don't have a ton of trade assets.
According to The Stein Line, the Dallas Mavericks don't want to part ways with Kyrie Irving.
While The Athletic says they're still in the mix, a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade seems impossible given Minnesota's commitment to Jaden McDaniels. Furthermore, Jake Fischer has reported thatthe Wolves no longer factor into Giannis talks.Â
With Tim Connelly in charge, the Wolves will always be aggressive, but it's becoming increasingly harder to find a star trade target for Minnesota. As such, the Wolves might have to zag.
Earlier this month, Jake Fischer raised eyebrows by saying Ayo Dosunmu is the biggest addition we can expect from the Timberwolves at this juncture. I don't doubt that the Wolves will be aggressive and shake up their roster. However, I'm starting to doubt that this will be with a star move.
Why a star trade might not be in the cards for the Wolves
Another factor to consider is that the Wolves feel great about their sub-26 core, with McDaniels and Joan Beringer being strictly off limits, in addition to Anthony Edwards, of course.
This makes me wonder if the team is committed to Edwards' timeline to the point where they will prioritize depth and internal growth rather than a big splashy move.
While I fully understand McDaniels being off limits, teams that are laser-focused on landing a star at all costs might not share this same stance. The same can be said for Beringer, who didn't even crack the rotation as a rookie.
Now, Ja Morant, Kawhi Leonard and Dejounte Murray are three other possible options. Still, hurdles and questions remain. Does Kawhi feel comfortable staying in Minnesota and can the soon-to-be 35-year-old stay healthy? How do you value Morant's immense injury risk and would it have to be a three-team deal? Is Murray even available and what is his own injury history?
Given these factors, I'm not sure the Wolves will pull off a trade. Beyond these players, it's currently hard to pinpoint a star trade that's feasible and logical for the Wolves.
The Wolves might not need a star trade to improve their roster
This doesn't change the fact that Edwards needs a more dependable co-star and that Julius Randle needs to be traded. It may change what the Wolves value on the trade market, though. The Wolves could value a depth-based deal for Randle. In turn, this could set up a team that operates with a second-option-by-committee approach.
Though it would have to be a three-team deal, Jalen Suggs is a clear option to address the Wolves' need for another ball-handler while getting on Ant's timeline. The Wolves could pursue a subsequent move for Randle or Rudy Gobert (whoever isn't traded as part of the Suggs deal).
Yes, the Wolves still wouldn't have a traditional second option if they trade for Suggs, but they'd have a well-rounded team that fits nicely together. I don't think it's far-fetched that McDaniels, Suggs or Dosunmu could scale up and improve.
Not to bring up a sore subject, but look at what Nickeil Alexander-Walker just did with the Atlanta Hawks. I'm particularly confident about McDaniels' chances of a breakout season.
In today's NBA, fit and depth matter just as much as star power. For the Wolves to level up to the next tier of title contention, trading for a star might not be necessary.
Believe me, I'm not against the Wolves trading for a star if it makes sense. There's no denying that the roster around Edwards needs to improve. However, you can't just make a star trade to make a star trade -- fit is vital. And with the current trade landscape, I'm not sure that the right star exists for the Wolves, particularly after the recent update on Kyrie.
All of this is to say, the Wolves might not trade for a star, but that could end up being okay if they balance out their roster in a logical way.
Add us as a preferred source on Google