Timberwolves Rumored to Be Buyers, Not Sellers, at Deadline

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In a season where the Minnesota Timberwolves are 7-29 at the All Star break, the last thing anyone expects is for them to be buyers instead of sellers at the trade deadline. But, not so fast. According to Shams Charania (The Athletic), the Timberwolves are expected to be buyers during this trade deadline.



At the time of my tweet, I liked the idea… but I’m backpedaling a little bit. Adding Aaron Gordon or John Collins would take the Wolves out of any future hunting for another “star”, because of their contracts. Collins is on the last year of his rookie deal and due for a big payday. Gordon is making $18 million this year and only has one season left on his current contract. Either guy would also take a boatful of assets to acquire.

Here is an excellent thread from Jack Borman (Canis Hoopus) on the impact a Collins or Gordon trade could have on the organization’s future.



Let’s step back for a moment…

Adding either of John Collins or Aaron Gordon would all but ensure that the Wolves are committing to the Towns/Russell/Collins or Gordon trio, going forward. I’m not sure where a core five of Towns, Russell, Beasley, Edwards, and Collins/Gordon gets you, but it does sound a lot better than what we’ve seen this season.

This deal will probably require a 1st round pick from the Timberwolves but it can’t be in 2021 or the 2022 because both of those draft choices are tied up in trade protections. Instead, they’d likely have to give up young assets to go along with a pick further in the future.

I can’t blame Gersson Rosas for wanting to expedite this team’s growth. They need to start sipping from the winner’s cup more often, but it might be smarter at this time, to take a step back and wait until the lottery shakes out.

Keeping that pick is franchise-altering. If the Minnesota Timberwolves land in the top-3, hope rises from the ashes again. If not, then they will lose their pick to Golden State and well…. let’s not talk about that depression today.

Cooper Carlson | Minnesota Sports Fan

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