NBA Trade Rumors: Timberwolves Would Be Smart to Keep Team Intact at Deadline

There's this crazy rumor floating around out there that the Minnesota Timberwolves would consider trading for Pau Gasol of the Los Angeles Lakers, which seems an odd move for the young team to make.

Really, the smart thing to do would be for Minnesota to keep its young nucleus together. And it sounds like that's what David Kahn plans on doing.

From Charley Walters of the Pioneer Press:

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"The likelihood of us doing something dramatic is miniscule," Kahn said after the Wolves' victory over Charlotte on Wednesday night at Target Center that moved them to within two games of a playoff spot.

"That doesn't mean that maybe we do something minor. But the last thing I want to do is send a message to our players that they should be looking over their shoulders right now."

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Sure, Kahn isn't likely to come out and say, "Oh yeah, you guys, we'll trade anybody if we have to. These guys are okay, but I'm sort of bored and feel like making a trade. Kevin Love and Ricky Rubio, those two stay. The rest of you, eh, to hell with you, I'll move you in a heartbeat."

Sure, he might actually be thinking that. But if he is telling the truth about keeping the roster changes minimal, it makes sense. This team does have some nice young pieces, they can afford to be patient with and let develop.

Michael Beasley has played well for them this season. Derrick Williams, the second pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, has a ton of upside. Love and Rubio speak for themselves on the court each night. Center Nikola Pekovic has been a surprising contributor.

As Walters points out in the article, the team could use a proven shooting guard. And unlike a big move for a player like Gasol that would dent their nucleus, at least they could go get a serviceable two-guard for a reasonable price.

For once, I think Kahn is on the right path.

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