Subscribe
Follow Us
The Minnesota Timberwolves roster looks extremely good with Karl-Anthony Towns, D'Angelo Russell, Anthony Edwards, and Malik Beasley at the forefront. The 2021-22 NBA season could be their year to at least make the playoffs in the ultra-competitive Western Conference. In this specific piece, though, we're looking at potential Timberwolves trades (with a twist).
The Timberwolves could either wait for their mesh and develop. There's also another worthy option to pursue: trade for stars who have been rotting in their current team and are in desperate need of a fresh start. There are two players which fit the mold and could fit well with the Timberwolves. Let's discuss who they are and what they can bring to the Wolves.
Potential Timberwolves Trades
Ben Simmons
Reports reveal that the Timberwolves are one of the teams interested in trading for Simmons. Though the general consensus is that Simmons' trade value has plummeted, the Wolves still believe the Australian can help them. This might be due to the presence of D'Angelo Russell who was actually teammates with Simmons in high school at Monteverde. Yes, that was a long time ago and it would be foolish to say that since they dominated high school, then they would also dominate the NBA. Simmons and Russell have evolved as players.
There's still a lot of truth that the Simmons-Russell combo could work well in Minnesota. However, the Wolves are banking more on the chemistry between the two. Simmons, for his part, would want a team that actually likes him after his relationship with the Philadelphia 76ers has turned for the worse.
Article Continues Below
If the Wolves do gun for Simmons, they would have to insert Towns into the package. The 76ers have made it clear that they want an All-Star caliber player in exchange for the Australian. They also want a ridiculous amount of picks. But given that Simmons wants out ASAP, then the team will likely rescind such demands for a fairer and realistic one. The 76ers probably do not need a player like Towns and so to make the deal work, then making it a 3-team trade is the most feasible. The main thing is to keep Russell and Edwards in the fold.
Buddy Hield
It's unfortunate that Buddy Hield isn't widely recognized as one of the best shooters today. For the past few seasons, Hield has been one of the leading 3-pointers. He should be mentioned alongside Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Duncan Robinson, among others. The reason why he hasn't been recognized is that the Sacramento Kings just suck. The organization has been gifted with all the talent in the world yet they fail to capitalize on it time and time again.
Hield has kept relatively mum. But we all know deep inside that he wants a fresh start. Minnesota just might be the ideal team for him. It's a team close to finally finding out its identity. Edwards is one of the fastest-rising talents today. The 2021-22 NBA season could be his breakout year from a top rookie to a top-caliber star. Russell, too, is not a young gun anymore but an experienced player. Provided that the Wolves don't include Russell in a trade package, then the two could be a formidable guard-sharpshooter combo.
Hield's excellence in catch-and-shoot situations also works well with Edwards' penchant for isolation and pick-and-roll plays. In time, the young gun will develop his playmaking abilities. Hield is the perfect complement to a ball-dominant player like Edwards.
