Timberwolves: Patrick Beverley the key piece to Ben Simmons trade?

Could Patrick Beverley prove to be the key piece for the Timberwolves as they continue their hot pursuit of Sixers star Ben Simmons?

In case you missed it, Patrick Beverley just got traded for the second time in just a matter of days. After being shipped off by the Los Angeles Clippers to the Memphis Grizzlies, the veteran guard is now on his way to the Minnesota Timberwolves following another trade agreement between the Grizzlies and the Wolves. As it turns out, Beverley could be on the move again.

The Timberwolves have been rumored to be one of the teams in hot pursuit of Philadelphia 76ers want-away star Ben Simmons. According to Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic, Beverley might prove to be the key piece for the Wolves in a potential deal with the Sixers:

Beverley’s status as a veteran with playoff experience may also make him a little easier to include in a possible trade offer for Ben Simmons. While certainly not anything close to a headliner, Beverley’s defensive chops and ability to hit open 3s would help Philadelphia a lot more than any combination of Culver and/or Hernangomez.

If this rumor comes to fruition, this would be Beverley's fourth team in such a short span of time. More importantly, though, Simmons will finally get his wish of getting out of Philly. He would join Karl-Anthony Towns, Anthony Edwards and D'Angelo Russell (unless he's traded) in what is going to look like a very formidable lineup for the Timberwolves.

Krawczynski also added, however, that in order for this trade to come to life, another team will need to get involved in the picture to make it a three-team deal:

The Wolves have continued to have discussions with the Sixers on Simmons, sources said, but the lack of win-now assets they could provide the Sixers in their pursuit of a championship has been a hindrance. A third team would almost assuredly have to be brought in to get more immediate impact assets to the Sixers, and that is a complicated endeavor.

Ben Simmons is clearly unhappy with life in Philadelphia right now and the Timberwolves are looking to give him a lease on life. For his part, however, we still don't know where Patrick Beverley is going to end up playing once the 2021-22 season tips off.