With the NBA’s trade deadline now just a week away on February 5, rumors are running rampant throughout the league. A trade should be deemed likely for the Minnesota Timberwolves, as Tim Connelly has proven that he is more than willing to shake up the roster since joining Minnesota. Just don’t expect a deal to involve any of their key players currently on the roster.
On Wednesday, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype posted his NBA intel article detailing some of the rumors as the trade deadline is fast approaching. During this artcile he made it clear that a Timberwolves trade is unlikely to involve any of the team's key rotational players.
"While teams across the league have called on Jaden McDaniels, Naz Reid, and Donte DiVincenzo, league sources say, the Timberwolves have highly valued those players and are resistant to parting with them. McDaniels has been deemed virtually untouchable unless it was for a star such as Giannis Antetokounmpo," Scotto said.
A trade around the edges is exactly what the Timberwolves need
It makes sense why they would be hesitant to trade any of those players. The Timberwolves already have just one player in Naz Reid, who can truly be counted on off the bench come playoff time. Trading a rotation piece for a rotation piece wouldn’t change that.
With the Timberwolves looking to make that next step to being a squad that makes the NBA Finals, they need to improve their depth. Even if a deal involves giving up Mike Conley, how much can he be counted on to produce come playoff time? He went through his postseason struggles last year. Right now, he and Rob Dillingham seem to be the two members of the team (outside of the starting lineup and Reid) that can most easily be dealt.
The Wolves have a core that just made the conference finals, and simply making a move to upgrade their depth could help them reach the next level.
Some of the targets for Minnesota that Scotto includes in his article are Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu of the Chicago Bulls, as well as Collin Sexton of the Charlotte Hornets. Any of those three would certainly bolster a bench that can lack scoring outside of Reid.
He also mentions Tyus Jones as perhaps being an option. While he’s a Minnesota native and spent his first four seasons with the Timberwolves, his first year with the Orlando Magic has been largely disappointing.
The trade rumors will come to an end in a week, and it's fair to expect the Wolves to shake up their roster by then.