Point Guard Trade Targets
Posted: Sat Jan 18, 2020 12:27 pm
Here's my list of 6 PGs to target as possible trade acquisitions for the Wolves:
1. D'Angelo Russell. He's a big-time scorer and very good ballhandling PG who could run the Wolves offense and pose a legitimate threat from behind the arc. His age also fits with the plan to build around KAT. But there are downsides to Russell for the Wolves. First, he's a poor defender and would be joining a team that is already bad defensively with KAT on the court. With Russell we'd have a core tandem who are allstars on the offensive side of the ball but lower-tier in the League on the defensive side. Second, he's on the front end of a max deal, giving us 3 max players who give us very little defensively. Finally, it would likely cost a lot of assets to get him.
2. Aaron Holiday. Apparently, the Wolves front office has shown interest in Holiday, but the Pacers have thus far said no. He's be an excellent fit as a quick PG with an excellent handle and an accurate 3-point shot. He's young and, therefore, would fit well as a key building block around KAT. He's only been a backup at Indiana, so I have to believe the Pacers would part with him without demanding too much in return. But hard to know and I haven't thought about a particularly package of assets that might get a deal done.
3. DJounte Murray. This guy would be my first choice. He seems to be getting back to the level he was at before his knee injury two seasons ago. He's not a great 3-point shooter, but still hits a third of his threes. The question is whether the Spurs would be willing to part with him in a deal for Covington.
4. Derrick White. The other young Spurs PG would be a nice acquisition for the Wolves. I don't know what it would take to get him. I'm guessing we'd probably have to give up Covington, in which case I'd expect something else in return as well - maybe a future pick.
5. DeVonte Graham. I'm not sure what it would take to get him. I'd still like the Wolves to offer Wiggins to the Hornets and see what we could get. Graham is an excellent 3-point shooter and a young PG who would fit well with the Wolves. The Hornets have Rozier so Graham isn't essential. Perhaps we could get Graham in a Wiggins for Batum swap.
6. Dennis Smith Jr. I wouldn't give up much for him, but he's a tremendous talent who continues to struggle with the Knicks. He's the sort of guy worth taking a flyer on. Look how the Fultz deal has paid off thus far for Orlando.
There might be others who haven't come to mind. I limited my list to PGs 25 years of age or younger.
1. D'Angelo Russell. He's a big-time scorer and very good ballhandling PG who could run the Wolves offense and pose a legitimate threat from behind the arc. His age also fits with the plan to build around KAT. But there are downsides to Russell for the Wolves. First, he's a poor defender and would be joining a team that is already bad defensively with KAT on the court. With Russell we'd have a core tandem who are allstars on the offensive side of the ball but lower-tier in the League on the defensive side. Second, he's on the front end of a max deal, giving us 3 max players who give us very little defensively. Finally, it would likely cost a lot of assets to get him.
2. Aaron Holiday. Apparently, the Wolves front office has shown interest in Holiday, but the Pacers have thus far said no. He's be an excellent fit as a quick PG with an excellent handle and an accurate 3-point shot. He's young and, therefore, would fit well as a key building block around KAT. He's only been a backup at Indiana, so I have to believe the Pacers would part with him without demanding too much in return. But hard to know and I haven't thought about a particularly package of assets that might get a deal done.
3. DJounte Murray. This guy would be my first choice. He seems to be getting back to the level he was at before his knee injury two seasons ago. He's not a great 3-point shooter, but still hits a third of his threes. The question is whether the Spurs would be willing to part with him in a deal for Covington.
4. Derrick White. The other young Spurs PG would be a nice acquisition for the Wolves. I don't know what it would take to get him. I'm guessing we'd probably have to give up Covington, in which case I'd expect something else in return as well - maybe a future pick.
5. DeVonte Graham. I'm not sure what it would take to get him. I'd still like the Wolves to offer Wiggins to the Hornets and see what we could get. Graham is an excellent 3-point shooter and a young PG who would fit well with the Wolves. The Hornets have Rozier so Graham isn't essential. Perhaps we could get Graham in a Wiggins for Batum swap.
6. Dennis Smith Jr. I wouldn't give up much for him, but he's a tremendous talent who continues to struggle with the Knicks. He's the sort of guy worth taking a flyer on. Look how the Fultz deal has paid off thus far for Orlando.
There might be others who haven't come to mind. I limited my list to PGs 25 years of age or younger.