With Patrick Beverley about to hit free agency at the end of the 2021-22 NBA season, the Minnesota Timberwolves appear to be exploring ways to find someone who could replace the role of the veteran point guard. And according to Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report, the Timberwolves have just a perfect name in mind in Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart.

Before Patrick Beverley reaches free agency, Minnesota is exploring trade avenues involving its veteran point guard in addition to the Timberwolves' conversations regarding Malik Beasley. Marcus Smart has been mentioned as a recent target for Minnesota who would fill Beverley's integral role in the Wolves' starting lineup.

Like Beverley, Smart is a no-nonsense guard who will get done what needs to be done within his abilities on the court. Plus, Smart is younger at just 27 years old, while Beverley is already 33. Smart, however, has a contract that won't expire until the end of the 2025-26 season and with a remaining guaranteed amount of nearly $100 million, so the idea of trading for him is a big one for Minnesota, which is on pace to make the playoffs for the first time since the 2017-18 season.

So far this campaign, Smart is averaging 11.4 points, 5.5 assists, and 3.9 rebounds per game, while also shooting 40.3 percent from the floor and 31.2 percent from behind the arc.