MN Timberwolves Eyeing Familiar Trade Deadline Consolation Prize

By    |  
Updated:
Follow Us
Kyle Anderson - Minnesota Timberwolves at Dallas Mavericks
Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Timberwolves will return to the basketball floor on Friday night against the Houston Rockets, as they attempt to earn their third-straight victory, and seventh win in eight games.

Last time out, an Antless Wolves team mopped the floor of Milwaukee’s Fiserv Arena with Giannis and his Bucks, 139-106. Rudy Gobert didn’t play, either (suspension).

It didn’t matter.

The Wolves’ length, both inside and out, took away the only thing that their Eastern Conference neighbors are good at… which is rostering Giannis Antetokounmpo, who scored 25 points but managed just 8 rebounds, turned the ball over 7 times and finished a -11 on the night.

The Minnesota Timberwolves are really good, but…

Since November 29, the Minnesota Timberwolves are 17-6 (.739), outscoring opponents by a total of 153 points. Offensively, they’ve been an absolute juggernaut, posting a 119.7 offensive rating. If this team can lock in defensively, this summer could be a lot of fun.

But really, if the 2025-26 Wolves are going to push their playoff run beyond the Western Conference Finals, they need more help, especially in the backcourt. That’s why president of basketball operations Tim Connelly has been one of the most active executives on the pre-deadline trade market.

We’ve seen Minnesota connected to just about every ball-handler rumored to be available, including multiple Chicago Bulls guards. But it doesn’t seem like the trade market is where Connelly wants it to be, right now.

According to Darren Wolfson (KSTP) this week on SKOR North, Minnesota is not trying to move any of its key rotation pieces. Instead, like we’ve seen from multiple reports already, the Timberwolves are shopping their 2024 first round picks, Rob Dillingham and Terrence Shannon Jr..

Wolves eyeing old friend on buyout market

If potential trade partners aren’t interested in Dilly or TJS, that presents a major problem for the Wolves, being trade options are already limited by luxury tax complications and lack of future draft capital. So unless something changes fast, the Wolves’ front office must be prepared to pivot.

And it sounds like they’re planning to do just that. In fact, Wolfson told Flagrant Howls that Minnesota is already eyeing the NBA buyout market, where Connelly appears to be targeting old friend, Kyle Anderson, a 32-year-old former Wolf who is expected to be bought out by the Utah Jazz.

“What happens with Kyle Anderson in Utah? Does Utah buyout Kyle Anderson? We can have as much back-and-forth on the Bulls as we want. And yeah, do I think there is absolutely some dialogue that has taken place? Sure. But I think the name we should talk about more than anyone is Kyle Anderson.”

“I’m just telling you, keep an eye on that situation. Really, I am just saying, make sure Kyle Anderson, the next three weeks, is very much on your radar. I’ll leave it at that right now. We understand the deficiencies of his game, but he would absolutely help these guys. And it’s hard for me to see him finishing the year in Utah.”

Darren Wolfson – Flagrant Howls (SKOR North)

On the season, 32-year-old Kyle Anderson has played just 13 games for 14-26 Jazz, after he was traded to Utah from Miami at last year’s trade deadline. Kyle’s lack of playing time is in part due to lingering injuries, but some nights, he just doesn’t break the rotation.

Still, he is averaging 7.5 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game, when he does see the floor. In two seasons with the MN Timberwolves, Anderson averaged 7.8 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.5 assists, on 25.3 minutes per game.

Kyle Anderson would be the perfect deadline consolation prize

Just like Flagrant Howls host, Phil Mackey, I love this idea. If the Minnesota Timberwolves cannot land the backcourt talent they are seeking, for a worthy price, bringing Kyle Anderson in off the buyout market will probably be the best consolation prize available, given what they need.

Anderson would fix a lot of Minnesota’s defensive deficiencies and, while he’s listed as a forward, the former UCLA standout has a unique superpower on the other side of the floor too — the ability to run an NBA offense like a point guard.

Kyle can bring the ball up, initiate offense and see passing lanes to open teammates that aren’t really there, much like a good pass-first point guard. Of course, Anderson can’t really shoot beyond 15 feet… but when you are shopping on the buyout market, beggars can’t be choosers.

Kyle Anderson would add much-needed depth to Minnesota’s rotation, both in the front and backcourt, while patch-up their defensive deficiencies. And when bargain bin hunting, what more could a luxury tax-strapped NBA team ask for?

Mentioned in this article:

More About:

0What do you think?Post a comment.

Add MinnesotaSportsFan as a preferred source on Google.Add MinnesotaSportsFan as a preferred source on Google.