The Minnesota Timberwolves are making their final preparations ahead of the NBA trade deadline. What they're doing exactly, we cannot say. From our limited perspective, it would sure be hard to say they are getting ready to make some big trade. All the indicators coming from inside the organization to this point have been that they will mostly stand pat, and any moves they make are expected to be minor.
This would make the most sense. The Wolves are going to need Julius Randle to make a playoff push, and Chris Finch has repeatedly spoken of internal improvements rather than external. But with that in mind, we know that Tim Connelly works in the shadows. If he were to end up pulling off something massive, it is unlikely that we would know about it ahead of time.
As we think about what could happen with this team between Wednesday and Thursday, it would be best if Minnesota avoided trading the following players.
Anthony Edwards
This one is of course a no-brainer. Anthony Edwards is clearly the most untouchable player on the Timberwolves' roster. His ceiling remains limitless, and he is the primary reason Minnesota still has a chance of securing a top-six seed in the playoffs this season. If you were planning to trade Ant, well, you'd simply have to be Nico Harrison.
Naz Reid
Many see Naz Reid as the future of the power forward position for the Timberwolves, and perhaps that is exactly what he will be. But whether Naz steps up and becomes this team's starting four next season or not, he remains an incredibly important piece for what Minnesota wants to achieve offensively. He brings a different look to the floor than Julius Randle, and can be key to the Wolves playing five-out. Dealing him away would not be wise.
Jaden McDaniels
The past month or so has been some of the best basketball Jaden McDaniels has played at any point in his career. Don't believe me? Just ask Chris Finch. He recently spoke to the maturity that Jaden has been playing with, noting all the ways in which he has elevated his individual performance. McDaniels is as important to this squad now as he has ever been.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker
Currently playing on the second year of his two-year contract with the Timberwolves, Nickeil Alexander-Walker may have the best contract value of any player in the NBA. He is earning just $4.3 million this season, but he is playing much more like a guy making closer to $20 million yearly. Minnesota wants to re-sign him, and he should be untouchable in trade talks outside some sort of ridiculous offer.