Minnesota Timberwolves Rumors: Recapping the Latest Buzz

The Minnesota Timberwolves are one of the busiest teams as the trade deadline approaches. There are two reasons for this.

First, they are a team that has been hovering right around .500 for most of the season, which for them is a remarkable improvement.

When you consider that they've played well against winning teams, going 12-14, they aren't that far away from being a team that could challenge not just for the playoffs, but to even get to the second round. 

That's a sentiment which in November would have actually caused laughing injuries. The Timberwolves are no longer a laughing matter, though, and they want to be taken even more seriously. 

Here are the latest trade rumors involving the Wolves. 

Luke Ridnour for Jamal Crawford

Chad Ford of ESPN answers a question in a Q&A:

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I've seen plenty of rumors about Jamal Crawford going to the Timberwolves. Is their any chance they can do so without giving up Pekovic or Derrick Williams?

Chad Ford: For sure. Crawford can opt out of his deal this summer so he won't cost much. I think the Blazers and Wolves are talking about a swap for Ridnour. 

"

Then Alex Kennedy tweets, "The Minnesota Timberwolves are making a strong push to acquire Jamal Crawford prior to the trade deadline, according to multiple sources."

This makes a lot of sense from Minnesota's perspective. They don't have a pure shooting guard, and Jamal Crawford would fill that role. It would give them a pure scorer in the backcourt, which would make Kevin Love even scarier. 

Some might think that Ridnour in return for Crawford is an uneven swap, but bear in mind that Crawford has an option and is unlikely to pick it up, as he has been unhappy in Portland.

The way Portland has been going, a few more weeks of Crawford holds little value. 

Matt Barnes for Michael Beasley

Sam Amick of SI.com reports:

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It's no secret that the Lakers are trying to prepare for the luxury tax hell that's coming in the 2013-14 season, when the more punitive system agreed on in the new collective bargaining agreement will finally be put into place.

One source said Lakers small forward Matt Barnes was included in one version of a possible Beasley deal with Minnesota.

"

The Timberwolves are committing to giving Derrick Williams more playing time, and that makes Michael Beasley expendable—but not that expendable. Matt Barnes is one rumor. Another says that the the Wolves offered Beasley in return for a first-round pick. 

There you have to consider the the source, Chris Broussard, who got one rumor right on LeBron James going to the Heat, and is still living off of that. Broussard is frequently wrong, and that's putting it kindly.

I just don't buy it. When he is the only person "reporting" something, there is a 99 percent chance it's not right. 

The Wolves are going to want a player who can contribute back, and that's not going to be Matt Barnes or a first-round pick. These sound more like deals that would be propped up by a Lakers fan playing with the ESPN trade machine than real deals. 

Michael Beasley for Jermaine O'Neal

According to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, there have been a number of rumors involving Beasley, which also include several other teams, including Boston, Houston and New Jersey. 

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He might not have to worry about such things—at least not in Minnesota—if you believe the national rumor mill that has the Wolves trading Beasley to anywhere from the Lakers, Boston, Houston or New Jersey for anything from a trade exception, a draft pick or a veteran player by the March 15 deadline. 

"

There are some interesting options available, but one that I think could be interesting is sending him to New Jersey for DeShawn Stephenson and Anthony Morrow.

It would give New Jersey a wing who can put the ball on the floor and another piece in place toward acquiring Howard. 

It would give Minnesota a three-point threat and a defender at shooting guard.