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The Minnesota Timberwolves made it back to the playoffs and have a very important offseason ahead of them. They will start with the 2022 NBA Draft, where they own the 19th overall pick in addition to picks 40, 48 and 50.
The Timberwolves should have several strong options for their first-round pick. The 2022 draft class offers an interesting mix of players that will be available later in the first round, many of which could be contributors in their first year. However, they are better suited to make a trade with the pick. Whether it's a big splash or a trade to consolidate their draft picks, the Wolves should be busy on draft day.
New president of basketball operations Tim Connelly will have a lot of options as he looks to make a great first impression with the Timberwolves. Should he look to trade away his draft pick, here are three options.
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3 best Timberwolves trades using No. 19 pick in 2022 NBA Draft
3. Trading up
Since the Timberwolves have plenty of second-round picks, they should look to trade up in the draft. Plenty of teams picking ahead of them have an incentive to move down.
The Atlanta Hawks, who pick 16th, only have one second-round pick at 44 overall and may be willing to take more to move back three spots. The Houston Rockets have the third and 17th picks but none more afterwards. Moving down a few spots for an extra pick should be worth it for a team building around unproven young players.
The Timberwolves are no longer in a situation where they can draft a bunch of youngsters and try them out. They have a solid core comprised of proven young guys. They don't need to leave the draft with as many young players as possible.
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2. Trading D'Angelo Russell
The New York Knicks have interest in trading for D'Angelo Russell if their primary options don't become available. In the event that happens, the Timberwolves can offer Russell rather than sign him to a lengthy extension.
The Timberwolves could trade Russell and the 19th pick for the 11th pick, Evan Fournier and Derrick Rose.
The Knicks would get their man at the expense of moving down in the draft and two veterans that Tom Thibodeau has shown a strong affection for. Russell would slide into the starting lineup next to RJ Barrett, giving the Knicks an interesting blend of shooting and driving in the backcourt.
Minnesota would be giving up one of their key offensive players but would be getting two solid depth pieces back and improving their draft positioning. Fournier, though overpaid, is a strong shooter and Rose, though oft-injured, is a solid sixth man. They would also have a better shot at finding a good player by moving just outside of the top 10.
1. OG Anunoby
The Toronto Raptors are seemingly making OG Anunoby available for trade. Minnesota should punce at the opportunity to land such a stellar defender who can serve as a strong third-scoring option.
The Timberwolves could obtain Anunoby for the 19th pick, the 40th pick, a future first-rounder, Malik Beasley and Jaden McDaniels.
The Raptors, who are looking for ugrades at the center spot, would have the 19th pick and the potential to trade up for someone like Mark Williams or Jalen Duren. They could also use the pick to trade for someone like Myles Turner.
Anunoby, meanwhile, would fit perfectly in the Timberwolves lineup. Whether he takes Jarred Vanderbilt's spot or plays the three while moving Patrick Beverley or Russell to the bench, he would be a massive upgrade. He averaged a career-high 17.1 points per game last year, along with 5.5 rebounds and 2.6 assists, while shooting 36.3 percent from deep. His versatile defense could truly unlock the Wolves and help them take another step forward.
