NBA Trade Rumors: 8 Potential Deals for the Minnesota Timberwolves' No. 2 Pick
It's no secret the Minnesota Timberwolves have decided to start shopping their No. 2 overall pick around the league and trying to gauge its value. The question is, will they find what they're looking for? Personally, I think the answer is probably not. It will be hard to find a team willing to pay what the Wolves are asking for at this point, but as we get closer, talks will likely heat up and the Wolves will become more willing to compromise.
The Wolves already have enough young talent. They have more than enough youth, and many believe it's time to start balancing youth and experience. The best way to accomplish this is probably trading their second overall pick for a more reliable option. Going for the home run is good, but the Wolves have swung and missed too many times.
As scouts get a little more comfortable analyzing the players in this year's draft, suitors will likely emerge in bunches for either Derrick Williams or Enes Kanter at No. 2. At this point, it's simply too early to start talking about trade specifics, but it's certainly not too early to start throwing around names and looking at some possibilities.
Not every suggestion will be perfect, but I hope you find some of these proposals intriguing. Here are eight teams that could or should make the Wolves a serious offer for the second pick.
It's also important to note that the Wolves have a huge trade exception and plenty of cap room so the financial aspect of any deal won't be a big factor in most cases.
8. Phoenix Suns
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There was talk this season that Steve Nash could eventually become a Timberwolf if the Suns go into rebuilding mode. If the Suns are still entertaining that possibility, this trade could become a reality. The Wolves need short term help and Nash could provide immediate help at point guard. The Wolves don't have a first-round pick next year anyways, so it's not like it really would hurt to win a few more.
Although Nash is a solid player, there is no way he would be sent to Minnesota alone. My guess is that the trade would be something like Nash, Jared Dudley and a few first-round picks for the second pick and Nikola Pekovic and potentially Martell Webster.
This way the Wolves could get some immediate help and some picks for the future while also getting rid of a few of their bad contracts. In my opinion, the Wolves can do better than this, but it's a possibility. Pretty good eighth option, eh?
7. Memphis Grizzlies
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This trade only works if Rudy Gay becomes available which the Grizzlies have said won't happen so far. However, I wouldn't doubt that Memphis will start to listen to offers at some point. Cleveland has offered the fourth pick for him and that was rejected, but Derrick Williams may be a little bit more enticing.
The Grizz might need another role player to complement Williams if this deal is to happen. Memphis does need an upgrade behind Mike Conley, so it would make sense to see either Ridnour or Flynn involved, especially since the Wolves only need one of them if Ricky Rubio comes over. They could give Memphis the second pick and their choice of the two point guards.
This deal could be one that the Grizzlies would have to think about. The Wolves wanted to bring Rudy to Minnesota for a visit as a free agent last year, so there is no doubt they have interest. The Wolves may also be willing to give the Grizzlies Michael Beasley in the deal if they throw in a future No. 1 or possibly Allen or Mayo.
It is unclear what pieces may be involved in the trade, but now that we have seen what Memphis can do without Gay, they may be open to dealing him despite what they say now.
6. Charlotte Bobcats
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The Bobcats haven't done anything to say they're interested in the pick as of yet, but they are more than likely moving into a rebuilding stage, and they could certainly use the pick. They have a couple nice pieces they could use in the trade.
A good deal for both sides could be worked out. I see a combination of Gerald Henderson, DJ Augustin or Stephen Jackson. Maybe all three.
Augustin is a solid young point guard who will be a good player some day and could allow them to move Flynn and or Ridnour. It's also possible one of the two is shipped to Charlotte. Henderson is a guy who will add depth at guard and reduce Wayne Ellington's role, and Jackson can provide veteran leadership and still has a few more solid years. The Wolves don't really have anyone else to spend the money on and Jackson is solid.
The Bobcats will have to start over if they make this deal, but Williams has way more potential than any of those guys and will give them some cap relief. They could probably have Ridnour and Williams start next year and with another pick in the top 10, they could form a solid young core to build off of.
5. Los Angeles Clippers
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Why did I put Baron Davis as the picture? It's simple really. If the Clippers hadn't traded him, they would have the first pick in the draft this year, and they wouldn't be in this slideshow at all. They would have loved Kyrie Irving as a replacement to Davis, unfortunately that isn't going to happen.
The Clippers got lucky because they are receiving an unprotected first-rounder from the Wolves next year from the Cassell Jaric trade. Giving away the eventual first pick this year cancels it out.
If the Clips want to make a serious playoff push next season, this pick could really put them on a level with other teams competing in the West. The picked Al-Farouq Aminu in the top 10 last season, but there is no doubt they could find minutes for Derrick Williams. They could also take big man Enes Kanter here.
The Clippers could offer the Wolves a nice package of talent for the future if they were to make a move for the pick. They could trade say, Eric Bledsoe, DeAndre Jordan and a future Clippers first-rounder for the second pick and possibly Luke Ridnour.
This wouldn't affect the Clippers too much for next season, but it would give the Wolves a point guard of the future and also a center with big defensive potential that would fit perfectly alongside Kevin Love while also stockpiling picks for the future as we all know Kahn loves to do.
The Clippers may not have shown interest in this years draft so far, but this deal could improve their team in the short term and give them a potential star next to Blake Griffin.
The Wolves may be seeking experience, but this deal fits their needs and would bring a ton of talent to Minnesota. It's definitely worth a look.
4. Philadelphia 76ers
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Personally, I'm not a big fan of this deal, but it's definitely one that gets Timberwolves fans excited. Andre Iguodala is an electrifying player that has really developed into one of the leagues better players. The problem is he's getting paid way too much money.
It's unclear who would be involved in a trade for Iguodala, but as an original proposal, I think something like Iguodala, Lou Williams, Marreese Speights and the 76ers first round pick for the second pick, Jonny Flynn and Michael Beasley. The Wolves get an upgrade at point guard, another mid first-round pick, as well as a solid young center that should fit nicely in Minnesota. Not to mention Iguodala.
Philly gets Beasley, who is a downgrade from Iguodala but is still a solid player as well as a back up point guard and their choice of either Williams or Kanter, both of whom are players with huge potential. It's no secret that Philly has been shopping Iguodala, and if they can get the second pick in a deal for him, it's probably something they would be interested in.
Minnesota fans would certainly welcome Iguodala with open arms, however I feel as if it would be a poor decision for the franchise. Iguodala is good, but like I said before his contract is huge and I'm not sure the Wolves are ready to absorb a contract like that with the uncertainty of the new cap restrictions.
This deal will improve the Wolves win total next season, but it probably isn't the best thing for their long term success. They will be paying Iguodala for a long time, and it will really bind them up.
3. Golden State Warriors
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Golden State claims that Monta Ellis and Stephen Curry will be able to play together in the backcourt. When they decide to trade one of them depends on when exactly they realize they're wrong. When they decide to trade one, my guess is that it will be Monta.
Monta would be a good add for the Wolves. He is still relatively young, but he has plenty of experience because he came right out of high school. He can score in a variety of ways and handles the ball effectively in stretches.
There are many possible ways I think Ellis could land in Minnesota. I think Williams may be more valuable than Ellis from what we know which makes me think Monta should be packaged up. In a deal that makes sense to me, the Wolves get Ellis, the Warriors get the second pick and then the Wolves and Warriors swap their other first-round selections. Wolves get No. 11, Warriors get No. 20.
Another possibility is the No. 2 pick and Wes Johnson for Monta No. 11 and Dorell Wright. I'm assuming there will be rumors about a Warriors Wolves deal as we get closer to the draft, and we'll see if anything develops.
2. Indiana Pacers
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The Pacers are a very interesting team right now. They have thrown their hat in the ring for the No. 2 pick and seem to show interest in making a deal. I like this Pacers deal, however, I am skeptical. I think it's obvious that Granger brings more to the table than Iguodala, especially offensively, but I see it as kind of a similar trade in a sense that we are going to pay Granger a lot of money to lead us to mediocrity.
The one thing that makes the Pacers trade significantly better is that they have more to offer besides Granger. That would be Paul George. I have always been very high on George, and he is a guy I wanted the Wolves to make a move on last year. Now, they have a chance to fix their mistake and get him now.
I would hope a deal between the Pacers and the Wolves would look something along the lines of Paul George, Danny Granger and the No. 15 pick for Michael Beasley, Wes Johnson and the No. 2 pick. This would give the Wolves a long term upgrade at shooting guard and an immediate star at small forward while they also pick up another mid first-rounder while the Pacers get a potential stud at No. 2.
The Pacers also get some serious cap relief. I'm not sure exactly how this deal would work, but this seems like a start. I would like to see the Wolves get George, and it seems like this deal may be a possible move.
1. Toronto Raptors
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The Toronto Raptors seem like they can really make a strong offer for the Wolves No. 2 pick. They have a couple pieces that the Wolves would really be interested in. First, DeMar DeRozan who really emerged as a future star this year. He has a lot to work on, but he really improved his game this season, and the Wolves would clearly be interested in DeRozan.
The Raptors on the other hand definitely would be interested in being given a chance to grab Derrick Williams with that second overall pick.
A potential deal could look something like Ed Davis, Leandro Barbosa, DeMar DeRozan and a protected future first-round pick for the No. 2 overall pick and Wes Johnson. The Wolves get a little boost at shooting guard as well as a solid young post player in Ed Davis. While they would add young talent, they would also get a solid veteran in Barbosa with a future draft pick too.
The Raptors on the other hand get a solid perimeter defender and shooter in Wes Johnson and a potential star with the pick. They also get rid of their logjam in the frontcourt.
This trade is yet to be developed, but the Raptors certainly have the pieces and with two top-5 picks they could really switch things up.
All in all, there are a lot of different possibilities. If the Wolves decide to deal the pick who knows what can happen.
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