The Minnesota Timberwolves would have to give up lots of draft capital if they hope to trade for Philadelphia 76ers point guard Ben Simmons.
Dane Moore of Blue Wire Podcasts spoke to two different executives about what they thought it would cost the Timberwolves to acquire Simmons from the Sixers. Both executives agreed Minnesota would have to give up two first-round picks of some variety, with the second executive saying the T-wolves could ideally attach protections to those picks.
I’ve heard it would take multiple first round picks for the Timberwolves to even get into the conversation when it comes to a Ben Simmons trade negotiation. pic.twitter.com/x8fbKPRo7q
— Dane Moore (@DaneMooreNBA) June 25, 2021
Is it worth it for the Timberwolves to cede draft capital for a max player in Simmons after the year they just had?
Kendrick Perkins of ESPN recently suggested the Sixers should try and move Simmons to the Timberwolves for D'Angelo Russell and Malik Beasley. Might that kind of framework reduce Philly's purported desire for draft assets? Would Karl-Anthony Towns be dismayed with Russell being dealt elsewhere after he lobbied for the team to acquire D-Lo?
There are a lot of question marks here, but it's worth mentioning Simmons profiles as a decent fit for the Timberwolves. Towns' ability to pick-and-pop and shoot from beyond the arc or take on-ball defenders could be a boon for Simmons both in freeing up the lane and allowing him to operate from the dunker spot. The Sixers guard would also fortify Minnesota's defensive backcourt, with the Wolves likely hoping Anthony Edwards makes strides on that end.
However, if the Sixers were to indeed ask the Timberwolves for two firsts, it's hard to believe Gersson Rosas makes that deal.
Minnesota is trying to build something sustainable and there are enough question marks with respect to Towns' future as is. That makes draft capital massively important for the Wolves, more so after their 2021 first-rounder conveyed to the Golden State Warriors.
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