Minnesota Timberwolves: 3 Players to Pursue Before the Trade Deadline

With Love back and Rubio making progress, the Timberwolves should be optimistic—but they're still missing a piece.

The Minnesota Timberwolves are a tough team to judge so far this season. The question, especially once they get healthy, will be whether or not they should be considered a contender.

The answer is no.

They’re not quite there—but they’re close. And by making the right moves before the trade deadline, they can become one.

With Kevin Love back and Ricky Rubio cleared to return to practice yesterday, Minnesota fans have reason to be optimistic. The Timberwolves are among the top ten in scoring defense and rebounding, and they have played hard in the absence of their stars.

Their fault lies on the offensive end, however, where their production ranks fourth worst in the entire league.

Minnesota needs to go out and get a scorer in order to make the playoffs.

Here's a look at three players that might be available as the NBA’s February 21 trade deadline approaches.  Perhaps one could provide the missing piece that the Timberwolves need to be considered a postseason threat.

Tyreke Evans

The Kings may look to part ways with Evans by this year's deadline.

Evans’ name has been thrown around in trade rumors for months now.

The Sacramento Kings did not offer him a contract extension before the October 31 deadline, so he will become a restricted free agent in 2013.

The Kings are among the worst teams in the NBA right now and may be willing to start rebuilding by dealing Evans during the season.

Though his scoring has decreased in each of his four NBA seasons thus far, Evans is still averaging nearly 15 points per game.

At 22 years of age, he is just three years removed from his outstanding first season in which he averaged more than 20 points per game and was awarded Rookie of the Year honors.

A change of scenery might be exactly what Evans needs to elevate his game and his guaranteed offensive production could propel the Timberwolves into the playoffs.

Ben Gordon

Gordon was traded from the Pistons to the Bobcats in June.

A solid wing player who would also provide the Timberwolves with guaranteed offensive production, Gordon is currently averaging 12.4 points per game in his first season with the Charlotte Bobcats.

The 7-7 Bobcats may not be willing to deal the 2005 Sixth Man of the Year yet, since they just acquired him over the summer. But that may change as the season progresses and the deadline approaches.

If Minnesota can get its hands on him, Gordon would provide a great perimeter threat to boost the team’s scoring.

Though his production has dipped significantly since he averaged 18.5 points per game over five years with the Chicago Bulls, Gordon is only 29 years old.

He could be the piece that the Timberwolves need to be considered contenders. 

Monta Ellis

Ellis will likely opt out of his contract with Milwaukee in 2013.

Another option to provide Minnesota with much-needed scoring is Ellis.

The longtime Golden State Warriors star was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks last season, where he is currently averaging better than 19 points per game.

There have been reports that Ellis will likely exercise the opt-out clause in his contract after this season and enter free agency. If that is indeed the case, Milwaukee may wish to trade the scorer before the deadline.

The price for Ellis would be high, but he’s the kind of weapon that would immediately spark the Timberwolves’ offense. In combination with a healthy Love and Rubio, he could solidify Minnesota’s status as a contender.