Timberwolves Chasing Centers on Trade Market

Rumors out of Mayo Clinic Square have been rather non-existent, since new president of basketball operations, Tim Connelly, took over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The NBA Draft is on Thursday and we know D’Angelo Russell is on the chopping block, should the price be right. Beyond that, we’ve been left to guess at what the Wolves’ front office is thinking.

That silence was broken on Monday morning by Shams Charania, when he included a short Timberwolves scoop in an offseason update/primer posted in The Athletic.

Minnesota Timberwolves

The Timberwolves have discussed deals around veteran centers, including Atlanta’s Clint Capela, sources said. – Shams (The Athletic)

Clint Capela, who just recently turned 28-years-old, is about as close to an old school center as what you can get in 2022. He doesn’t shoot from the outside (0-for-3 in his 8-year career), but he gets up and down the floor and contributes on both ends.

Trae Young and Clint Capela are always in sync in the pick-and-roll!

*no-look alley oop*

The #MetaQuestPlayIn is LIVE on ESPN pic.twitter.com/bJ4zvhsCJJ

— NBA (@NBA) April 13, 2022

Last season, Capela averaged a double-double and actually netted more rebounds than he did points (11.1 ppg, 11.9 rpg). Like many bigs, he struggles with free throws (career 52.7% avg) but he makes up for that with his offensive and defensive efficiency.

He’s one of only 11 centers in the NBA last season to finish positive in both offensive and defensive rating (132 Off, 109 Def), something he’s done every season of his career, his rookie year being the only exception. He’s also exceptional in the pick and roll and blocks a lot of shots (1.5 career avg).

Other Centers Available

According to Dane Moore, the Minnesota Timberwolves are sniffing around all of the available centers they can see playing well next to Karl-Anthony Towns. Clint Capela’s name is the one that floated to the top. Some other centers around the league, either available via free agency or trade are listed below.

The sense I get asking around about the Wolves interest in Clint Capela is that they've been doing a lot of inquiring, and that Capela's name is just one that floated to the top.

Are they open to pairing KAT with a 5? Sure — the right type of 5. Is it a lock to happen? No.

— Dane Moore (@DaneMooreNBA) June 20, 2022

Free Agents (via The Athletic):

• DeAndre Ayton – Phoenix Suns
• Chris Boucher – Toronto Raptors
• Mitchell Robinson – New York Knicks
• Jusuf Nurkic – Portland Trail Blazers
• Bobby Portis – Milwaukee Bucks
• Montrezl Harrell – Charlotte Hornets
• Kevon Looney – Golden State Warriors
• Isaiah Hartenstein – LA Clippers
• Andre Drummond – Brooklyn Nets

Trade Options (HoopsRumors.com)

• Myles Turner – Indiana Pacers
• Nikola Vucevic – Chicago Bulls
• Jakob Poeltl – San Antonio Spurs
• Steven Adams – Memphis Grizzlies