News broke back in May that superstar power forward/center Karl-Anthony Towns and the Minnesota Timberwolves are “not in a good place internally.” This was reported by ESPN’s Zach Lowe on The Lowe Post. His colleague Brian Windhorst asked Lowe to share his thoughts on Towns and the Timberwolves. Here is what Lowe said via Hoops Hype’s Bryan Kalbrosky:

“Darren Wolfson [veteran reporter in Minnesota] alluded to a lot of it on a podcast a couple weeks ago. I said on a podcast recently that I just have a gut feeling something crazy is gonna happen there this summer. It’s not in a good place right now internally.”

Karl-Anthony Towns, cavs
ClutchPoints

Windhorst also chimed in saying, “I don’t think Anthony Davis is going anywhere anytime soon but Karl Towns, that’s a different story.”

https://twitter.com/derekjamesnba/status/997549006283857923

If this is true and the Timberwolves are ready to move on from Towns, expect their phones to be ringing like crazy this offseason. There will be no shortage of offers around the league for a multi-talented player like Towns, and we’ve got potential deals that the rest of the league could offer to land the Minnesota superstar.

karl-anthony towns
Dennis Wierzbicki/USA TODAY Sports

Rather than simply rank this based on what deals would be good for both teams, there’s also the matter of what would be good for Towns’ career. While that’s a tough task, I think this ranking balances the two.

29. Houston Rockets

Timberwolves receive: Eric Gordon, P.J. Tucker, future 1st-round pick

Additional Assets from Timberwolves: Gorgui Dieng

Karl-Anthony Towns, rockets
ClutchPoints

The Timberwolves can dump the salary of Gorgui Dieng here but Eric Gordon and P.J. Tucker are far from ideal trade assets for a potential future Hall of Famer in Towns.

That future 1st-round pick might not be too valuable either since the Rockets are likely going to be title contenders for the foreseeable future.

28. Brooklyn Nets

Timberwolves receive: D'Angelo Russell, future 1st-round pick

Karl-Anthony Towns, nets
ClutchPoints

Towns for D'Angelo Russell and a future 1st-round pick is a joke. It’s hard to figure out what particular future 1st-round pick the Nets can offer that would make this trade appealing to Minnesota.

Let’s just say this is a failed trade no matter how you look at it.

27. Indiana Pacers

Timberwolves receive: Cory Joseph, Myles Turner, 23rd overall pick (Aaron Holiday), future 1st-round pick

Karl-Anthony Towns, pacers
ClutchPoints

Myles Turner didn’t develop into the star that everyone thought he could be this season. The rest of the trade package (Cory Joseph, Myles Turner, Aaron Holiday, future 1st-rounder) are far from being notable pieces.

Next!

26. Toronto Raptors

Timberwolves receive: Jonas Valanciunas, 2019 1st-round pick

Additional Assets from Timberwolves: Cole Aldrich

Karl-Anthony Towns, raptors
ClutchPoints

Sorry Raptors fans, but even though Valanciunas has some value, trading him for Towns is just robbery! That 2019 1st-rounder is still not going to cut it, even if it were a lottery pick.

25. Miami Heat

Timberwolves receive: Josh Richardson, Justise Winslow, Bam Adebayo, future 1st-round pick

Karl-Anthony Towns, heat
ClutchPoints

A couple of young guys who have potential but can’t measure up to Towns’ talent can’t be a fair trade. The trio of Josh Richardson, Justise Winslow, and Bam Adebayo aren’t good enough to land Towns, even with the addition of a future 1st-round pick.

Richardson is the one guy that has great value here, but the Timberwolves are already set at the shooting guard and small forward spots.

24. Orlando Magic

Timberwolves receive: Jonathon Simmons, 6th overall pick (Mo Bomba)

Karl-Anthony Towns, magic
ClutchPoints

Aaron Gordon would’ve been a good trade for Towns but he’s a restricted free agent. Instead, the most that the Magic can give them is the player they took with the number 6 overall pick in this year’s draft in Mo Bamba, plus Jonathon Simmons. It’s a nice package, but not good enough.

23. L.A. Clippers

Timberwolves receive: Boban Marjanovic, 2018 1st-round picks (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jerome Robinson)

Karl-Anthony Towns, clippers
ClutchPoints

Boban Marjanovic is a huge project at 7-foot-3, but if he ever puts everything together, he could be a nice piece on a team that needs size. But in exchange for Towns?Those two draft picks in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jerome Robinson aren’t likely to produce future Hall of Famers, but who knows?

It’s too risky for the Timberwolves to sign off on this one. Too bad, because Towns in L.A. would be nice.

22. Oklahoma City Thunder

Timberwolves receive: Paul George, Andre Roberson, 2019 1st-round pick

Additional Assets from Timberwolves: Jeff Teague

Karl-Anthony Towns, thunder
ClutchPoints

The Oklahoma City Thunder are a mess right now and could be fixed with the addition of Towns. Teague would be a great backup for Westbroo,k or they could play alongside each other if Brodie wants to play off the ball.

OKC could do a sign-and-trade that sends Paul George to the Timberwolves along with Andre Roberson and a 2019 1st-round pick. But, it’s not a deal that the Timberwolves will be happy about, as well as one George is likely to consider.

21. Detroit Pistons

Timberwolves receive: Blake Griffin, 2019 1st-round pick

Additional Assets from Timberwolves: Gorgui Dieng, Cole Aldrich

Karl-Anthony Towns, pistons
ClutchPoints

A Blake Griffin-for-Towns swap could have been equal a few years ago, but not anymore. Griffin is injury-prone and hasn’t been able to carry the Clippers nor this Detroit Pistons team further than what his talent suggests he should be able to do.

Adding the Pistons’ 2019 first rounder may help balance this out, but the odds are it won’t. It’s too risky of a deal for the Timberwolves.

20. Utah Jazz

Timberwolves receive: Donovan Mitchell, Thabo Sefolosha

Karl-Anthony Towns, jazz
ClutchPoints

Donovan Mitchell is headed for a bright future, one that could land him an All-Star berth very soon. But, the Timberwolves already have Andrew Wiggins on the team and they may not be able to move their incumbent shooting guard to another team in a separate deal.

19. Milwaukee Bucks

Timberwolves receive: Khris Middleton, 17th overall pick (Donte DiVincenzo)

Additional Assets from Timberwolves: Justin Patton, Aaron Brooks, Tyus Jones

Karl-Anthony Towns, bucks
ClutchPoints

If the Timberwolves are interested in salary dumping, this could work. Otherwise, Khris Middleton and the 17th pick of this year’s draft (DiVincenzo) aren’t enticing enough for Minny to bite. Besides, they would likely have to get rid of Jimmy Butler in another trade if they want to do this since they play the same position.

The Timberwolves will have to add Justin Patton, Aaron Brooks, and Tyus Jones to make this work. The problem is, it still won’t be a good deal. Towns would have been a great forward partner with All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo.

18. Charlotte Hornets

Timberwolves receive: Dwight Howard, Malik Monk, Frank Kaminsky, 11th overall pick (Miles Bridges), 2020 1st-round pick

Karl-Anthony Towns, hornets
ClutchPoints

Getting Towns will be the best deal that Michael Jordan has ever made in his career as a front office executive. But, dealing for Towns (and Teague, for that matter) with only Malik Monk, Frank Kaminsky, Dwight Howard, Bridges, and a 2020 first-round pick is just not going to happen.

While Howard is the key piece here, and he is still one of the better centers in the game, the Timberwolves are giving up a young All-Star with Towns. Monk has a chance to be better in his second-year, but he’ll have to beat Wiggins and Butler to crack the starting lineup for the Timberwolves.

It would have been nice, Mike, but Towns isn’t likely to go to Charlotte anytime soon.

17. Cleveland Cavaliers

Timberwolves receive: Kevin Love, Cedi Osman, 8th overall pick (Collin Sexton), 2020 1st-round pick

Karl-Anthony Towns, cavs
ClutchPoints

Kevin Love’s stock has dropped tremendously because of his performance in these playoffs. Cedi Osman could prove to be a very good player down the line. Collin Sexton, while good, doesn’t project to be a franchise-altering player, and you don’t know what you’ll get from their 2020 first-round pick.

There’s no chance that the Cavs can get Towns in exchange for these players and picks even if the big man wants to play with LeBron James. It’s nice to dream about what Towns and James could do together, though.

16. Portland Trail Blazers

Timberwolves receive: Damian Lillard, 24th overall pick (Anfernee Simons), future 1st-round pick

Additional Assets from Timberwolves: Jeff Teague

Karl-Anthony Towns, blazers
ClutchPoints

Damian Lillard would be a great point guard for the Timberwolves but it’s doubtful that he can carry them further into the playoffs than what Towns was able to do this past season. Even the draft picks included in this deal won’t be sufficient.

The Blazers, if they do decide to deal Lillard, should just look for another trade partner since the Timberwolves will be looking in another direction anyway.

15. Los Angeles Lakers

Timberwolves receive: Brandon Ingram, Kyle Kuzma, 25th overall pick (Mo Wagner), 2020 1st-round pick

Karl-Anthony Towns, lakers
ClutchPoints

The Los Angeles Lakers have a few good, young players including up-and-comers in Brandon Ingram and Kyle Kuzma. Not bad but not good enough to lure Towns away from the Suns. Wagner is a nice addition but isn’t enough to sway the Timberwolves unless they are forced into this trade by Towns.

14. Washington Wizards

Timberwolves receive: Bradley Beal, Tomas Satoransky, 15th overall pick (Troy Brown Jr.)

Karl-Anthony Towns, wizards
ClutchPoints

Bradley Beal proved he could lead a team when John Wall was out for a lengthy period in the regular season. Beal is an excellent shooter and a surefire All-Star every year. Tomas Satoransky stepped up big time in Wall’s absence, too.

But, while these two plus Brown Jr. are great pieces for any team, they’re not that good for the Timberwolves to get excited about this trade.

13. Atlanta Hawks

Timberwolves receive: John Collins, Taurean Prince, 5th overall pick (Trae Young)

Karl-Anthony Towns, hawks
ClutchPoints

Trae Young is a huge asset that the Timberwolves can get behind. John Collins is a nice addition as a power forward and Taurean Prince adds to the Timberwolves depth.

I love this trade for the Timberwolves, but there are a few others that are better.

12. Chicago Bulls

Timberwolves receive: Lauri Markkanen, Denzel Valentine, 7th overall pick (Wendell Carter)

Karl-Anthony Towns, bulls
ClutchPoints

Who would’ve thought that Lauri Markkanen would be this good? He has the potential to be a future All-Star and is the Chicago Bulls’ cornerstone right now. Denzel Valentine is a very good player and one who can be a starter for many teams. Adding Carter in a trade for Towns is good but not good enough.

Again, this is a case where the package is good, but it needs to be great.

11. Memphis Grizzlies

Timberwolves receive: JaMychal Green, 4th overall pick (Jaren Jackson Jr.)

Karl-Anthony Towns, grizzlies
ClutchPoints

The fourth pick ended up being Jaren Jackson Jr., or Marvin Bagley, so this could be worth a look. JaMychal Green is a good addition to the Timberwolves forward rotation.

Meanwhile, the Grizzlies can expect to get back to the playoffs with Mike Conley Jr., Towns, and Marc Gasol leading the charge. This would be a good deal for both teams, but Towns may not be too happy about playing for a team whose long-term future is brighter than its short-term one.

10. Dallas Mavericks

Timberwolves receive: Nerlens Noel, 3rd overall pick (Luka Doncic)

Karl-Anthony Towns, mavs
ClutchPoints

Nerlens Noel plus Doncic looks good and Towns would fit well with the Mavs for sure.

Does Doncic approximate the value of Towns? Perhaps, but it’s hard to know for sure since Towns is a consistent double-double machine. Even the addition of the oft-injured Noel may not approximate Towns’ value. Towns learning from Nowitzki would be an amazing story, though.

9. Sacramento Kings

Timberwolves receive: De’Aaron Fox, 2nd overall pick (Marvin Bagley III)

Karl-Anthony Towns, kings
ClutchPoints

Towns will not like going to another rebuilding team, even if the Timberwolves make this deal to acquire De’Aaron Fox as their point guard of the future and perhaps get a comparable player in Bagley as well

It’s possible for the Kings to turn things around next season since they have salary cap space.

8. Golden State Warriors

Timberwolves receive: Kevin Durant, two future 1st-round picks

Additional Assets from Timberwolves: Jimmy Butler

Karl-Anthony Towns, warriors
ClutchPoints

The Golden State Warriors can be an even better super team with Butler and Towns in exchange for Kevin Durant. Meanwhile, the Timberwolves get a former regular season MVP/ reigning Finals MVP on the team. The problem is, Durant may not sign off on this trade.

It’s a great deal, though. For the Warriors and Towns, at least.

7. Denver Nuggets

Timberwolves receive: Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray

Karl-Anthony Towns, nuggets
ClutchPoints

One of the biggest revelations of the 2017-18 season has to be the development of Nikola Jokic. The triple-double has become a habit for Jokic and he could be a terrific complement to Wiggins and Butler. Adding Jamal Murray would be a plus.

The Denver Nuggets receive a perennial All-Star and one who is getting even better. This is a great deal for both sides and one that both teams should consider. Towns could get deep in the playoffs with the Nuggets, too.

6. San Antonio Spurs

Timberwolves receive: Kawhi Leonard, Pau Gasol, Patty Mills, 18th overall pick (Lonnie Walker IV), 2020 1st-round pick

Additional Assets from Timberwolves: Jeff Teague, Jimmy Butler

Karl-Anthony Towns, spurs
ClutchPoints

This would be a massive deal, trading an MVP candidate in Kawhi Leonard for an All-Star player in Towns along with a bunch of other players that should even out the trade.

With this deal, the Timberwolves would have a starting five consisting of Patty Mills, Wiggins, Leonard, Taj Gibson, and Pau Gasol. The Spurs’ own starting lineup will have Jeff Teague or Tony Parker, Danny Green, Butler, LaMarcus Aldridge, and Towns.

The Timberwolves also get Walker IV plus a 2020 1st-round pick which may not be that high given the Spurs track record for making it to the playoffs. It’s a good -looking deal and one that might be good to visit if other deals don’t pan out for the Timberwolves.

Can you imagine how good Towns can be with a coach like Gregg Popovich?

5. New York Knicks

Timberwolves receive: Kristaps Porzingis, Frank Ntilikina

Karl-Anthony Towns, Knicks
ClutchPoints

One All-Star big man deserves to be traded for another. The only drawback for the Timberwolves regarding a swap of Kristaps Porzingis for Towns is the fact that the New York Knicks big man is out with an ACL injury that could keep him out until January, and perhaps even longer.

That’s where Frank Ntilikina comes in. He could at least offset the months that the Timberwolves have nothing to show for the trade by being a back-up point guard to Teague.

Porzingis has a huge upside and he’s one that the Timberwolves could see developing into an MVP candidate someday.

For the Knicks, they get a player who is as reliable as they come, someone that could be one of the best Knicks players ever. Towns would be a great player for New Yorkers to watch night in and night out. Definitely a trade worth considering.

4. Philadelphia 76ers

Timberwolves receive: Markelle Fultz, Dario Saric, 16th overall pick (Zhaire Smith)

Karl-Anthony Towns, Sixers
ClutchPoints

This is a loaded package that the Timberwolves will be receiving from the Philadelphia 76ers if they take it. Markelle Fultz could still be an All-Star eventually. Dario Saric is an amazing talent and he will be better in the years to come. Smith is almost sure to be a very good player in the league someday or maybe even outright.

It’s not a deal that will wow Minnesota right away, but it’s something for them to consider if there are no better options.

3. Boston Celtics

Timberwolves receive: Kyrie Irving, Jayson Tatum

Additional Assets from Timberwolves: Jeff Teague

Karl-Anthony Towns, Celtics
ClutchPoints

This is a deal that the Timberwolves could agree to given Kyrie Irving’s status as one of the best point guards in the league and Jayson Tatum’s high ceiling. The Celtics also receive Teague, who won’t make Celtics fans forget about Irving, but he is a solid point guard.

Towns could be an even better player with coach Brad Stevens. Losing Tatum will hurt but having a semi-Twin Towers duo of Al Horford and Towns could offset that.

If there’s a team that will back off here, though, it’s Boston, as the front office may believe that Tatum is an even better talent than Towns.

2. New Orleans Pelicans

Timberwolves receive: DeMarcus Cousins, 2019 1st-round pick

Additional Assets from Timberwolves: Jeff Teague

Karl-Anthony Towns, pelicans
ClutchPoints

Who’s better: DeMarcus Cousins or Karl-Anthony Towns? That depends on who you ask, but I’d say this is one of the best deals that the Timberwolves can get.

But, there are a few hiccups that could derail this trade. First, to make this happen, the New Orleans Pelicans need to sign Cousins to a max deal before they can trade him to Minnesota. The next issue would be Cousins’ ruptured Achilles, which could sideline him at the beginning of the season.

How much time he misses is going to be critical to whether this deal gets done or not. That’s where that 2019 first-round pick comes in, to somehow balance this out since the Timberwolves are also giving up Teague to make this work.

The good news is, if this deal gets done and Cousins gets back to the player that he once was, the Timberwolves could be a force to reckon with.

1. Phoenix Suns

Timberwolves receive: Josh Jackson, Dragan Bender, 1st overall pick (DeAndre Ayton)

Karl-Anthony Towns, suns
ClutchPoints

This is perhaps the best deal that the Timberwolves can get for Towns. They can get DeAndre Ayton, one of the best draft prospects of the past few years. Josh Jackson really came on in the latter part of the season and may soon justify being picked fourth in the 2017 draft after all. Dragan Bender is another good young player who can be a backup to Ayton.

Towns, on the other hand, would accelerate the Suns’ youth movement to full-blown playoff contention. They just added Mikal Bridges, too.

Will the Timberwolves and Suns agree to this deal? I hope so! It’s definitely one that will shake up both teams’ plans in a good way.