NBA Trade Rumors: Potential Targets to Make Timberwolves a Playoff Contender

The Minnesota Timberwolves are relevant for the first time since Kevin Garnett was around and now is the time to get aggressive.

If you want Kevin Love to sign a max deal, show him. Make a trade to upgrade the lone weak spot on the team: shooting guard.

With talent like Michael Beasley, Nikola Pekovic, Luke Ridnour and Derrick Williams expendable, GM David Kahn has the ammunition to pull the trigger.

Jerry Zgoda of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune has five suggestions. I’ll rank them from the best to worst fit for the T-Wolves:

1. O.J. Mayo, Memphis Grizzles

The Grizzles have been trying to trade him for a year and he hasn’t meshed well with the personnel in Memphis. He would be a great sidekick to Ricky Rubio because of his shooting prowess and length on the defensive end of the floor.

Also, his versatility to play forward would be huge for the Timberwolves. His quickness with the ball would give the T-Wolves another guard to create open looks for Love.

2. Kevin Martin, Houston Rockets  

He is a sharp-shooter with unlimited range and has played for coach Rick Adelman at Sacramento and Houston. Rubio would rake in the assists with Martin running the floor.

Problem is, he is allergic to defense and is 29 years old.

3. Eric Gordon, New Orleans Hornets

This would be a dream come true for Minnesota. This deal would have to include Williams and draft picks galore. Plus Kahn has to deal with Commissioner David Stern.

But a Minnesota fan can dream about one of the most prolific young scorers in the game teaming up with Rubio, right?

4. Andre Iguodala, Philadelphia 76ers

His giant contract ($13.5 million) makes him available, but the T-Wolves don’t need a 27-year-old who has already reached his peak as an athlete.

Iggie needs to go to a contending team that’s ready to compete for a championship this year, not a young team on the rise.

5. Ben Gordon, Detroit Pistons

Another overpaid shooting guard who brings little defense to the table, Minnesota must stay far away from this underachiever.