
NBA Trade Deadline: Three Players The Minnesota Timberwolves Could Try To Snag
Let's face it; the Minnesota Timberwolves are desperately in need of a few key players.
Management always talks about trading for a superstar, but I don't think there's a chance of that happening anytime soon.
Instead, I have made three mock deals that would fit some of the needs of the Wolves, and in doing so you must keep in mind that a few of these are just opinion, not what will actually happen.
With that in mind, thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy!
1. O.J. Mayo, SG, Memphis Grizzlies
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I know O.J. Mayo just got suspended for 10 games for using an illegal over-the-counter drug, but the 6'4" Huntington, West Virginia native might be heading out of Memphis soon.
Mayo should take his talents to the Land of 10,000 Lakes, a place where the top shooting guards on the club are Corey Brewer and Wes Johnson, both average but with skills inferior to that of Mayo's.
All O.J. would need to do in Minnesota is keep his hands off of prescription drugs.
In doing this trade, the Timberwolves would get a backup point guard in Greivis Vazquez as well.
Minnesota trades:
Jonny Flynn
2011 second round pick
2013 first round pick
Minnesota receives:
O.J. Mayo
Greivis Vazquez
2. Wesley Matthews, SG, Portland Trail Blazers
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If the O.J. Mayo trade doesn't work out, why not trade for one of the NBA's most underrated players?
Wesley Matthews, a 24-year-old Marquette graduate, is averaging 16 points and shooting 44 percent in the City of Roses.
He is also a lockdown defender, and is a complete upgrade from the 23-year-old rookie Wesley Johnson, and ultimately this deal would cause Corey Brewer to hit town.
Besides, the Blazers already have Rudy Fernandez. They need a viable backup center to play alongside Joel Pryzbilla and LaMarcus Aldridge down low. With Greg Oden and Marcus Camby injured, Koufos would do the job but only play limited minutes.
Minnesota trades:
Corey Brewer
Luke Ridnour
Kosta Koufos
2011 first round pick
Portland trades:
Wesley Matthews
Andre Miller
Sean Marks
3. Anthony Randolph, PF, New York Knicks
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A deal that has already been discussed in Minnesota is bringing Anthony Randolph over from the Big Apple.
The sad truth is that the 6'11", 21-year-old Randolph does not get enough attention from the Knicks, as he is averaging just two points and rebounds per game in over just eight minutes.
Last season, as a Golden State Warrior, he averaged better than 11 and 6 in only 22 minutes per contest.
A deal like this could require a point guard (since the Knicks are desperate for one), so why not give them Luke Ridnour? I mean, you already get Andre Miller from the second trade, so why not?
Minnesota receives:
Anthony Randolph
New York receives:
Luke Ridnour
Analysis
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Since trade one and trade two are nearly acquiring the same need, only two of these three trades can be done.
Which ones are they going to be?
If I were a part of the Wolves' management, I would do the second and third ones (sorry O.J.). By doing so, you receive the following:
Andre Miller, a proven point guard who at age 34 won't be a long-term liability, but he will bring the necessary leadership skills to the team.
Wesley Matthews, an all-around solid player who, with improved defense and a spectacular shot, would be an awesome addition to the Timberwolves, and would see the starting lineup the minute he came to town.
Anthony Randolph, a player whose stats in the Big Apple are unjust, and if given time here he could make a great impact.
Sean Marks, a steady guy off the end of the bench who has veteran experience to put in minutes if needed.
What Would The Lineup Look Like?
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If the two deals go into place (which they probably won't, but give me a chance), this is what the starting lineup would look like:
PG: Andre Miller
SG: Wesley Matthews
SF: Michael Beasley
PF: Kevin Love
C: Darko Milicic
Therefore the bench would look like this:
PG: Jonny Flynn, Sebastian Telfair
SG: Wayne Ellington
SF: Wesley Johnson, Lazar Hayward
PF: Anthony Randolph, Sean Marks
C: Nikola Pekovic









