Lots of stuff is happening in Minnesota. Too much, arguably.
Ryan Saunders is out as head coach. His replacement, Chris Finch, was poached from the Toronto Raptors' assistant coaching ranks not only midseason but also immediately after Saunders' exit went public. Funny how that works.
Meanwhile, D'Angelo Russell is set to miss at least the next month-plus after undergoing surgery on his left knee. And Malik Beasley is currently serving a 12-game suspension handed out by the NBA after he pleaded guilty to "one felony count of threats of violence."
Owners of the league's worst record, the Timberwolves should have "Sellers" written all over them. The top-three-protected pick they owe to the Golden State Warriors says otherwise. So too does Karl-Anthony Towns' superstardom.
Minnesota needs to find a happy medium. This season is a wash whether it wants to maximize lottery odds or aim for wins. The Wolves' ideal trade deadline features the acquisition of a combo forward who plays sturdy defense and fits with Towns' window.
Aaron Gordon is not a novel target within Minnesota circles. He is the obvious one. He doesn't turn 26 until September and can capably guard across three positions. His career-high 36.9 percent clip from deep this season is good enough for the Timberwolves to play five-out or unleash one of their shooting liabilities on the wings.
Cobbling together the right package is tricky. Gordon is miles away from stardom, but Minnesota isn't brimming with expendable assets. Giving up Anthony Edwards is a non-starter. Ricky Rubio doesn't give the Magic what they need at point guard.
Surrendering a future first is too reckless with another steep obligation floating around. The Wolves need Orlando to view Jarrett Culver as a headlining prospect and have a soft spot for Josh Okogie's all-defense, no-offense skill set. The idea of both, plus Juan Hernangomez, might intrigue the Magic should they sell. If it doesn't, Minnesota has Jaden McDaniels or Naz Reid to dangle as potential scale-tippers.
Aaron Gordon-to-Minnesota enthusiasts will be happy to know that scenario has other permutations--like this one.
Trading away D'Angelo Russell one season after giving up a top-three-protected pick for him (and while he's injured) seems like backward logic. The Timberwolves need the goodwill to deal Karl-Anthony Towns' good friend without having a certified replacement or upgrade in place. Maybe Cole Anthony is the long-term answer. Ricky Rubio won't be.
Functionally, Minnesota has the personnel to overcome Russell's departure. Anthony, Rubio, Malik Beasley and Jarrett Culver can handle initiating duties between them. Anthony Edwards will be worth more on-ball looks in lineups that surround him with four shooters.
Evan Fournier will offset some of Russell's scoring and gives the Timberwolves another secondary passer to plumb. And they gain flexibility by turning DLo into a pair of cheaper, shorter-term contracts and Anthony's rookie scale while also getting out from under Juan Hernangomez's pact.
Interpretations of Russell's value are all over the place (not unlike assessments of Gordon). He makes a lot more sense on a full-strength Magic squad that has Markelle Fultz to pair with him in the backcourt and an All-Defense-caliber anchor up front with Jonathan Isaac.
Orlando sorely needs someone who can jump-start the offense and hit jumpers off the dribble. For all Russell's flaws, he fits that bill. His 42 percent clip on pull-up threes this season ranks fourth among all players attempting at least three per game, trailing only Paul George, Zach LaVine and CJ McCollum.
Whether this return is enough for Minnesota to break up the KAT-DLo duo is in the eye of the beholder. Orlando can sweeten the package within reason if it's not. A lotto-protected first shouldn't be a deal-breaker.
Aaron Gordon-to-Minnesota enthusiasts will be happy to know that scenario has other permutations--like this one.
Trading away D'Angelo Russell one season after giving up a top-three-protected pick for him (and while he's injured) seems like backward logic. The Timberwolves need the goodwill to deal Karl-Anthony Towns' good friend without having a certified replacement or upgrade in place. Maybe Cole Anthony is the long-term answer. Ricky Rubio won't be.
Functionally, Minnesota has the personnel to overcome Russell's departure. Anthony, Rubio, Malik Beasley and Jarrett Culver can handle initiating duties between them. Anthony Edwards will be worth more on-ball looks in lineups that surround him with four shooters.
Evan Fournier will offset some of Russell's scoring and gives the Timberwolves another secondary passer to plumb. And they gain flexibility by turning DLo into a pair of cheaper, shorter-term contracts and Anthony's rookie scale while also getting out from under Juan Hernangomez's pact.
Interpretations of Russell's value are all over the place (not unlike assessments of Gordon). He makes a lot more sense on a full-strength Magic squad that has Markelle Fultz to pair with him in the backcourt and an All-Defense-caliber anchor up front with Jonathan Isaac.
Orlando sorely needs someone who can jump-start the offense and hit jumpers off the dribble. For all Russell's flaws, he fits that bill. His 42 percent clip on pull-up threes this season ranks fourth among all players attempting at least three per game, trailing only Paul George, Zach LaVine and CJ McCollum.
Whether this return is enough for Minnesota to break up the KAT-DLo duo is in the eye of the beholder. Orlando can sweeten the package within reason if it's not. A lotto-protected first shouldn't be a deal-breaker.
For the record, I'd love to do that first trade for Aaron Gordon given the pieces that are being dealt for him. That's an easy win. I don't see Orlando settling for that deal if they decide to move Gordon, though.
However, I wouldn't seriously consider the second trade mentioned. Minnesota doesn't need to sell low on D'Angelo Russell nor do they need to acquire Evan Fournier's expiring contract. Cole Anthony is talented, but not anything close to a can't-miss prospect. And Gordon is solid, but ultimately no where near as good or as impactful as Russell when both are at their best. It'd be a no for me.
I remember starting a thread during last year's season asking if you would trade Towns ( and pieces) to the Knicks for Randle, RJ Barrett , Dennis Smith and their 1st round pick. It was overwhelmingly panned. I wonder what this team would look like with Randle, Barrett and both firsts now? I would bet alot better off.
Wiseman
Randle
Barrett
Deangelo
And whatever first rounder (still Toppin?) from the Kicks
PorkChop wrote:I remember starting a thread during last year's season asking if you would trade Towns ( and pieces) to the Knicks for Randle, RJ Barrett , Dennis Smith and their 1st round pick. It was overwhelmingly panned. I wonder what this team would look like with Randle, Barrett and both firsts now? I would bet alot better off.
Wiseman
Randle
Barrett
Anthony
Deangelo
I might be the most pro-Julius Randle person on this board -- both then and now -- and I was against that trade. I still am, to be honest. I think the Wolves can and should get a better package than that for Karl-Anthony Towns.
PorkChop wrote:I remember starting a thread during last year's season asking if you would trade Towns ( and pieces) to the Knicks for Randle, RJ Barrett , Dennis Smith and their 1st round pick. It was overwhelmingly panned. I wonder what this team would look like with Randle, Barrett and both firsts now? I would bet alot better off.
Wiseman
Randle
Barrett
Anthony
Deangelo
I might be the most pro-Julius Randle person on this board -- both then and now -- and I was against that trade. I still am, to be honest. I think the Wolves can and should get a better package than that for Karl-Anthony Towns.
Same here. Also is Randle having a career year because Thibs is riding him every game
Camden0916 wrote:For the record, I'd love to do that first trade for Aaron Gordon given the pieces that are being dealt for him. That's an easy win. I don't see Orlando settling for that deal if they decide to move Gordon, though.
However, I wouldn't seriously consider the second trade mentioned. Minnesota doesn't need to sell low on D'Angelo Russell nor do they need to acquire Evan Fournier's expiring contract. Cole Anthony is talented, but not anything close to a can't-miss prospect. And Gordon is solid, but ultimately no where near as good or as impactful as Russell when both are at their best. It'd be a no for me.
I ment to say it would do the 1st trade i would do in a second
PorkChop wrote:I remember starting a thread during last year's season asking if you would trade Towns ( and pieces) to the Knicks for Randle, RJ Barrett , Dennis Smith and their 1st round pick. It was overwhelmingly panned. I wonder what this team would look like with Randle, Barrett and both firsts now? I would bet alot better off.
Wiseman
Randle
Barrett
Anthony
Deangelo
I might be the most pro-Julius Randle person on this board -- both then and now -- and I was against that trade. I still am, to be honest. I think the Wolves can and should get a better package than that for Karl-Anthony Towns.
Same here. Also is Randle having a career year because Thibs is riding him every game
What would you get from a none contending team that's better than Randle ,Barrett and a 1st? Multiple Firsts that you hope to be better than them? Contending team's aren't giving up their best talent. Their looking to add to it.
PorkChop wrote:I remember starting a thread during last year's season asking if you would trade Towns ( and pieces) to the Knicks for Randle, RJ Barrett , Dennis Smith and their 1st round pick. It was overwhelmingly panned. I wonder what this team would look like with Randle, Barrett and both firsts now? I would bet alot better off.
Wiseman
Randle
Barrett
Anthony
Deangelo
I might be the most pro-Julius Randle person on this board -- both then and now -- and I was against that trade. I still am, to be honest. I think the Wolves can and should get a better package than that for Karl-Anthony Towns.
Same here. Also is Randle having a career year because Thibs is riding him every game
What would you get from a none contending team that's better than Randle ,Barrett and a 1st? Multiple Firsts that you hope to be better than them? Contending team's aren't giving up their best talent. Their looking to add to it.
I continue to believe that the best trade partners for Towns are Boston, Phoenix, and Atlanta in that order. They can combine intriguing, proven young talent with a number of picks to make a worthwhile package.
