5 Trade Scenarios That Will Help Make the Timberwolves Relevant
One thing is for certain. The Minnesota Timberwolves have a log jam at the power forward position.
With the number two pick in the draft, the Timberwolves are expected to choose either Enes Kanter or Arizona’s Derrick Williams. The dilemma here is that both are natural power forwards who claim to be able to play bigger and smaller respectively.
Playing the same position is Kevin Love, the lone All-Star of the franchise. Management has made it clear that they want to keep him long term, and they will have to find him help fast if they plan on having him sign an extension.
In order to accommodate Love, the team’s second leading scorer Michael Beasley plays out of position at small forward. He began to live up to the expectations of being a number two overall pick last season by displaying some promising numbers (19.2 PPG).
Anthony Randolph has also shown potential when given playing time. When Love was injured toward the end of the season, Randolph was inserted into the starting lineup and didn’t disappoint. He managed 19.8 PPG in the final 5 games of the season.
The Timberwolves have some very respectable trade bait, and it’s about time that David Kahn utilized it to bring in some veteran help.
Here are 5 trade scenarios that I believe could help get the Timberwolves on track to make some noise next season.
Chris Kaman/Eric Bledsoe for Wes Johnson/Jonny Flynn/20th Overall Pick
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Parting ways with Wes Johnson would be very difficult to do this early in his career. He seems to still be developing despite the fact that he is already 23 years old. However, it isn’t a secret that the Clippers are looking for a young small forward to play alongside Blake Griffin.
Chris Kaman could finally put a rest to Kevin Love’s constant struggle over which position he will fill night in and night out.
At only 29 years old, Chris Kaman is still very young. He has had some injury problems lately but they are sure to pass. A Kaman/Love front court would be one to be reckoned with.
Eric Bledsoe played like a rookie last season, no doubt about it. Staying another year in college would definitely have helped him mature his game. He does provide strong perimeter defense though. He has a perfect body for an NBA point guard with all the potential in the world.
His game is very different than what Ricky Rubio’s will probably turn out to be. This gives the Timberwolves options.
Monta Ellis for Jonny Flynn, Michael Beasley, and the 20th Pick
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This is a rumored scenario that I’m sure Minnesotans are growing tired of flirting with.
Monta Ellis was the 8th best scorer in the league last season at 24.1 PPG. Unfortunately for the Warriors, Ellis is hindering the growth of electric point guard Stephen Curry. Minnesota has the assets to acquire Ellis, it’s just a matter of offering the right package.
Ellis is a definite defensive liability. This is certainly the reason he hasn’t made an All-Star game thus far in his career. That could all change if he is traded to the Timberwolves.
Unless Ricky Rubio, the Spanish wild card, plays 34 MPG in his first season like Curry did, Ellis could be playing some time at point guard. Sliding over to point guard would take some of his edge away, but it would in turn allow him to guard smaller players.
Pairing Kevin Love and Monta Ellis might not be a winning combination, but I can assure you it would help fill the stands.
Lamar Odom for Jonny Flynn and Michael Beasley
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It’s no secret that the Lakers are looking to get younger. The Mavericks' sweep and the departure of Phil Jackson were major wake up calls. In an effort to get young talent, the Lakers might get on board with this trade.
Derrick Fisher is far past his prime and in need of a successor. Jonny Flynn has struggled with injuries thus far in his career, which makes him somewhat of a wild card.
However, you can’t help but be intrigued by the lure of the unknown. He has the strength and quickness to be an elite point guard in this league. With Phil Jackson no longer holding onto the reigns, Jonny Flynn would have a chance to start right away.
Michael Beasley could play a similar role to Jeff Green this season in Boston. Green didn’t get much playing time behind the veterans, but the Celtics like his scoring punch off the bench and plan on him being an integral part of their future. Michael Beasley could emulate that role.
As for Lamar Odom, he could provide the kind of veteran leadership that the Timberwolves have been craving. He is an extremely versatile player who is wasting away on the Lakers bench. O
dom is a potential All-Star when he is coming off the bench; imagine the damage he could do with 35+ MPG. With it being Ricky Rubio’s first season in the NBA, Minnesota could benefit from having another ball handler on the court.
James Harden for Jonny Flynn and the 2nd Overall Pick
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Every year there are a handful of players whose stock rises due to great playoff performances. James Harden is the latest victim of this.
Oklahoma City loves having him on the floor because he is the only player not named Westbrook or Durant who can create his own shot.
Oklahoma City might realize, however, that Harden’s stock has never been higher. If they do choose to trade him, this offer might catch management’s attention.
Harden is a natural scorer who plays mediocre defense. Thabo Sefolosha continues to start over him because defense is needed in the starting lineup, and Scott Brooks enjoys Harden’s scoring punch off the bench.
Having a shooting guard capable of hitting open shots is ideal to complement Ricky Rubio’s pass-first style of play. Not to mention Kevin Love won’t see as many double teams with the added risk of Harden on the perimeter.
Oklahoma City could sit on Harden as he develops. They could also use the increase in his stock to their advantage and gamble on a quick and physical, injury prone point guard.
In addition, they would receive the second pick in the draft, which would likely be Derrick Williams or Enes Kanter, both of whom have a better inside touch than starters Serge Ibaka and Kendrick Perkins.
Brandon Roy for Jonny Flynn, Martell Webster, Nikola Pekovic and the #2 Pick
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Minnesota traded Brandon Roy for the rights to Randy Foye on draft night. It’s time to correct that mistake. Roy expressed some frustration with the franchise in the playoffs this season due to lack of playing time. I can sympathize with Roy who, before last season, was the team’s future.
I believe Portland would be less reluctant to take this deal than most would assume. First, they just signed Wes Matthews to a multi-year deal at an absolute bargain. Mathews is getting paid less than half of what Roy makes.
Not to mention there are 3 other players on the roster making over 10 million dollars a season and the front office might be looking to shed some contract. Portland was successful for the majority of the season last year without the help of Roy. When you look more closely at the situation, Roy begins to become more expendable.
Jonny Flynn has nice young legs to backup Andre Miller for the limited years he has left at 35 years old. Additionally, with Marcus Camby not able to consistently play 30 MPG and Greg Oden headed for free agency, it might be nice to have some insurance in the form of, let’s say Enes Kanter?
If Portland owned the number two pick, they might even have a shot at getting Kyrie Irving depending on Cleveland's "decision."
