ESPN Trade Fits
Posted: Thu Dec 05, 2013 10:35 am
Minnesota Timberwolves
Need: 3-point shooting
Possible targets: Jordan Crawford, Courtney Lee, Ben Gordon, C.J. Miles, Gary Neal, O.J. Mayo, Arron Afflalo, Jameer Nelson, Jimmer Fredette, Richard Jefferson, Marvin Williams
Best scenario: Trade Alexey Shved to Milwaukee for Neal.
Contenders? Well, the Timberwolves have the point differential of an eventual 52-win team, and that puts them in the contending group. Minnesota ranks in the league's top 10 in schedule-adjusted efficiency on both ends of the floor, so this is a pretty complete team. However, its 3-point shooting is a glaring weakness. Just two teams have attempted more 3s than the Timberwolves, but they rank just 24th in percentage. Chase Budinger's eventual return will help, so they don't need to go overboard in pursuit of shooting.
Neal is a career 40 percent 3-point shooter, and is hitting 47.5 percent this season for the struggling Bucks. His contract is a near doppelganger for Shved's, and the second-year Russian would give rebuilding Milwaukee another much-needed upside talent. Shved has been the subject of trade rumors, but the Timberwolves might be loath to move the promising combo guard. However, with Kevin Love able to opt out of his deal after next season, they have to think short term. Neal is a fit not just for his skill set, but also because of his extensive postseason experience with Milwaukee.
Need: 3-point shooting
Possible targets: Jordan Crawford, Courtney Lee, Ben Gordon, C.J. Miles, Gary Neal, O.J. Mayo, Arron Afflalo, Jameer Nelson, Jimmer Fredette, Richard Jefferson, Marvin Williams
Best scenario: Trade Alexey Shved to Milwaukee for Neal.
Contenders? Well, the Timberwolves have the point differential of an eventual 52-win team, and that puts them in the contending group. Minnesota ranks in the league's top 10 in schedule-adjusted efficiency on both ends of the floor, so this is a pretty complete team. However, its 3-point shooting is a glaring weakness. Just two teams have attempted more 3s than the Timberwolves, but they rank just 24th in percentage. Chase Budinger's eventual return will help, so they don't need to go overboard in pursuit of shooting.
Neal is a career 40 percent 3-point shooter, and is hitting 47.5 percent this season for the struggling Bucks. His contract is a near doppelganger for Shved's, and the second-year Russian would give rebuilding Milwaukee another much-needed upside talent. Shved has been the subject of trade rumors, but the Timberwolves might be loath to move the promising combo guard. However, with Kevin Love able to opt out of his deal after next season, they have to think short term. Neal is a fit not just for his skill set, but also because of his extensive postseason experience with Milwaukee.