The Minnesota Timberwolves know the clock is ticking on making a run with Karl-Anthony Towns and recently acquired guard D'Angelo Russell. According to The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor, the Timberwolves are looking to shift that plan into overdrive starting with the upcoming 2020 NBA Draft.
The Timberwolves have the No. 1 pick and will be looking to trade it to help the franchise win now:
“Executives around the NBA say the Timberwolves prefer to trade down or out of this pick to bring in a win-now player to help Karl-Anthony Towns and D’Angelo Russell,” O'Connor writes. “If they stay at no. 1, [Anthony] Edwards brings a scoring skill set that would fit nicely in the backcourt next to Russell.”
This isn't the first time we've heard rumors about Minnesota wanting to make a deal. The Timberwolves are clearly moving out of the phase of developing players and looking to bring in win-now talent. Adding someone from the draft, even with the No.1 pick, can still pose a risk in terms of speculating whether or not that player would be able to contribute immediately to the team. That's especially true in a draft that has so many question marks like this one does.
Of course, the problem is actually finding a deal that makes sense:
Everyone around NBA thinks Wolves try to trade #1. But there's skepticism about them finding a deal. Teams with stars unlikely to deal one for such an uncertain #1 prospect
Trading down sounds tough too. CHA in good spot @ 3. CHI, ATL can find better fits @ 4/6. DET has 0 assets
— Jonathan Wasserman (@NBADraftWass) October 14, 2020
While the Timberwolves have good friends Towns and Russell on long-term contracts, one has to wonder just how much longer KAT is willing to accept losing in Minnesota before requesting a trade. Towns has known almost nothing but losing in his NBA career, so it's time for the franchise to take a step forward with him leading the way.
For the Timberwolves to find much success in a challenging Western Conference, they'll head into an offseason where every trade or signing they make could dictate their future with this Towns-Russell duo.
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