Doug McDermott News - MinnesotaSportsFan

Timberwolves Interested in Gordon Hayward and Doug McDermott, Especially Post Trade Deadline

Ezra Greenman — Tue, 30 Jan 2024 23:21:22 +0000

With the February 8th trade deadline approaching, the Minnesota Timberwolves are very likely to make a move. After defeating the Thunder on Monday night, they have surged to the top spot in the Western conference. Nonetheless, the Timberwolves could benefit from acquiring a shooter or a backup point guard to boost their roster as the postseason draws near.

In a tough loss against the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday night, Doug McDermott emerged as a key player, sinking crucial three-pointers to seal the win. According to Darren Wolfson (KSTP) on the Mackey and Judd Show (SKOR North), McDermott is a player the Wolves have their eye on, despite the significant value of his contract.

Timberwolves interested in McDermott, Hayward, possibly others

McDermott’s contract could make him difficult to trade, though, which would make Dougy McBuckets another buyout option on what could be a rather big name post-trade deadline market. A market that Doogie says could also include Charlotte Bobcats wing, Gordon Hayward.

“I was told by somebody the other day that [the Timberwolves] really like Doug McDermott of the San Antonio Spurs.”

“That’s what the Wolves are looking for, is three-point shooting, as much as anything. Now, he makes a good amount of money, $13.7 million, so that might be a buyout situation. Remember, there are teams, you know, first apron, that can’t sign a guy like Doug McDermott if he hits the buyout market. Now, Gordon Hayward, that’s another guy who I’m told the Wolves like… hey, why wouldn’t they, right? Like, if Gordon Hayward hits the buyout market, every team that can sign him will make the phone call.
Darren Wolfson – Mackey & Judd (SKOR North)

Wolfson also mentions Luke Kennard from the Grizzlies, Monte Morris from the Pistons, and Royce O’Neale as potential targets. Wolfson also highlights Jordan McLaughlin, indicating that the Timberwolves highly value him, which may affect their pursuit of a backup point guard. Ultimately, shooting remains the primary focus for the Timberwolves.

“There are others like Luke Kennard of Memphis, Monte Morris, but I don’t think they’re married like a lot of people feel like they’re married to this idea that the Wolves need to bring in a backup point guard. They value Jordan McLaughlin, heck, he had a really good game last night. It’s not necessarily a point guard. Could it be a point guard? Sure. But more than anything, I’m led to believe they are looking for shooting. Now, Monty Morris can shoot, so yeah, do I think he’s on their radar? Yes. But it could also be somebody with a little bit more size, whether it’s an O’Neal or a McDermott.”
Darren Wolfson – Mackey & Judd (SKOR North)

We’ve been hearing a lot of these names for a few weeks now, and it seems highly likely that the Timberwolves will be actively pursuing these players. Now, what would it require for the Timberwolves to acquire another piece? According to an ESPN report and Wolfson, it won’t be anything too extravagant.

What would the Timberwolves need to offer in exchange for a return? Judd posed the question to Wolfson, inquiring about potential assets if the Wolves were to acquire McDermott. Wolfson indicated that if McDermott were the target, it would likely result in a buyout.

After watching him beat them up last night, Doogie is confident that Connelly & Co would love to have McDermott on their bench, reinterring again, “Doug McDermott would be one name I would keep an eye on.”

Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports

Who/What are Minnesota Timberwolves looking to deal?

Kyle Anderson could be a guy that the Wolves are forced to move, if they really covet someone and need to move a valuable trade asset to get it done. But Finch loves Anderson and what he brings to the team both on and off the floor so moving him is unlikely. Shake Milton, however, seems as good as gone.

“Like, you’re moving Shake Milton. I mean, we saw it last night, right? Out of the rotation yet again. Like, trust me, Shake Milton is absolutely available. I think deep down he would welcome a change of scenery.”
Darren Wolfson – Mackey & Judd (SKOR North)

Wolfson also suggests that teams may consider G League prospects like Wendell Moore Jr. and their 2nd round pick from the Memphis or Washington as potential trade chips that other teams will find valuable. If needed, they could seriously consider trading Josh Minott or Leonard Miller, too.

Brian Windhorst, a well known ESPN NBA insider released who could be traded from each team. The two available names for the Timberwolves? Troy Brown Jr. and Shake Milton. ClutchPoints says Kyle Anderson is more likely to be moved than Wolfson believes.

“The Wolves could use an extra guard, but they have no tradable first-round picks and are facing a salary squeeze this summer. Milton and Brown, free agent signings last summer, don’t have much of a market, and the Wolves are likely to stand pat. Minnesota may be more involved in the buyout market with an open roster spot and about $2 million in room below tax.”
Brian Windhorst – ESPN

Windhorst additionally suggests that the Wolves might find the buyout market intriguing and could explore it if a significant name becomes available. In any case, with the trade deadline looming just a week away, it’s highly likely that the Timberwolves will make a move to boost their roster for the playoffs.

NBA Insider Wants Timberwolves to Trade Kyle Anderson for Doug McDermott

Ezra Greenman — Thu, 18 Jan 2024 21:29:07 +0000

For the past 1.5 seasons, Kyle Anderson has played a crucial role for the Minnesota Timberwolves, both off the bench, and many times as a starter, something he did in 46 games in 2022-23.

But most of that came last year, when he averaged over 28 minutes per game. Anderson’s role has gradually diminished, this season, though. Kyle has started just two games and he’s getting dangerously close to falling under 20 minutes per game.

There aren’t a lot of rotations in either conference that is as difficult to crack as Minnesota’s right now. That’s why he and another proven veteran who isn’t getting very many minutes, Shake Milton, are both being thrown around as possible trade pieces before the February 8th deadline.

Kyle Anderson for Doug McDermott?

Spurs Receive: Kyle Anderson
Wolves Receive: Doug McDermott

Minnesota has struggled with versatile Kyle Anderson (1.1 3-point attempts per 36 minutes) on the court in particular and might do well to flip him — in the final season of his contract — for a player of similar overall ability but better shooting. Would the San Antonio Spurs consider bringing back Anderson in a deal built around Doug McDermott (8.7 3PA per 36)?
ESPN

Anderson’s biggest problem has been 3-point shooting. How bad is it? 15.4% bad, an almost impossible drop-off from the career-high 41% he shot from deep last year. Nonetheless, he’s still providing plus minutes on both offense (110 offensive rating) and always a force on defense (109 defensive rating).

For most rosters around the league, he could simply stop shooting from deep and still serve a variety of different (and productive) roles. Kyle Anderson is a proven plug-and-play multi-tool role-player who can provide valuable minutes from pretty much every position on the floor, in today’s NBA. Who doesn’t need that?

Doug McDermott is available

The 7-33 San Antonio Spurs, have made small forward Doug McDermott available. Chris Haynes (Bleacher Report) said on his ‘This League’ podcast:

“I was told that the Spurs are listening to offers for some of their veterans that are on expiring deals,” Haynes said. “They don’t have too many veterans, but they have two veterans that are on expiring deals, Doug McDermott and Cedi Osman. These are two players that would be pretty good fixtures on a team that’s trying to win or contend right now.”
Chris Haynes – This League Podcast

The trade makes complete sense, considering the Spurs are struggling to win games and McDermott (like Anderson) is on a expiring contract. Doug McDermott, a Grand Forks, ND native, recently celebrated his 32nd birthday, holds is averaging 6.4 points, 1.1 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game this season. He’s shooting a solid 46.1% from the field but it’s his proficiency from deep (46.8%) that might have the Wolves salivating.

Doug McDermott deep three🎯 pic.twitter.com/PLh6uMe9Tt
— Ball Brief (@BallBrief_) January 8, 2023

Chris Finch, Minnesota Timberwolves Love Kyle Anderson

The NBA trade deadline is still a couple weeks away and who knows what can happen. The Timberwolves hold the second best record in the league right now, at 29-11, behind only the 32-9 Boston Celtics. Does it make sense to move a guy like Kyle Anderson, who may not get a ton of minutes right now, but is just one injury or slump away from playing a very important role once again?

Many teammates seem to be very fond of Kyle. Chris Finch has made it very clear that he is a HUGE fan of Anderson, as well, which will obviously play into what Tim Connelly eventually does.

Not saying he's untouchable. But Finch LOVES him. Hard to see it. So valuable when going zone/overall on defense and his passing his rock-solid. His experience and where he sees the game helps too.
— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) January 18, 2024

And some would argue, why make a trade when you are cruising at a pace like the Wolves have been. Who knows what can happen, as the trade deadline creeps closer. But I can’t help think about what Doug McDermott knocking down nearly 50% of his 3-pointers could provide for this Minnesota Timberwolves offense now.