After bowing out to the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round of the NBA playoffs, the Minnesota Timberwolves must look into trades to improve their roster. Minnesota could very well have gone on to win the series, but instead consistently blew fourth-quarter leads. This shows that Minnesota is a playoff-caliber team, but not one set to contend just yet.
Minnesota Timberwolves: Two Trade Ideas
Straight Up Swap
Minnesota Timberwolves receive Marcus Morris.
LA Clippers receive Malik Beasley.
Jarred Vanderbilt and Jaden McDaniels looked like a solid four rotation throughout the season. With this being said, Minnesota needs a forward who they can rely upon more to score the ball. Enter Morris.
Morris averaged 15 points per game this season. He can score from all over the court as well. Adding Patrick Beverley was a great move from Minnesota, and they can add another feisty Clippers defender in Morris. Adding him to the starting five will not only improve the Timberwolves in the regular season but give them an experienced playoff battler. Morris will not take well to blown leads.
Wings, wings, wings. The Clippers love their wing players. Beasley would be yet another. He can defend the perimeter and also drain threes. Morris may be redundant with Kawhi Leonard coming back. In addition, the Clippers made a great acquisition of Robert Covington this past trade deadline. They need to make it a priority to bring him back, and he’ll fit in just fine over Morris at the forward spots.
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Shooting is Always Key
Minnesota Timberwolves receive Buddy Hield.
Indiana Pacers receive Malik Beasley, Leandro Bolmaro, and a future first-round pick.
A team can never have too much shooting in the NBA. Elite shooting can win NBA championships, just look at the Golden State Warriors.
Hield, of course, is one of the league’s elite shooters. This past season was a tad down for Hield, shooting close to 37 percent from deep. It may be excusable as he switched teams, both of which were struggling. With this being said, Hield is consistently one of the league leaders in three-point shots made. He finished this season averaging close to 16 points, four boards, and three assists per game, all of which will be welcomed in Minnesota. The only question here is his fit. Minnesota would have to decide whether Beverley or Hield comes off the bench. Hield may be the best option to boost the bench scoring.
Indiana is moving into a full rebuild. One of their first steps to accelerate that will be to trade Hield’s relatively large contract. Beasley doesn’t come cheap, although his contract is nearly expired. Indiana can also trade him again, as his wing and “three-and-d” ability will be a hot commodity come next season’s trade deadline. The Pacers also add a young piece in Bolmaro. His minutes were limited this season, but he was a first-round pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. Finally, the Pacers also get a future first here. Rebuilding teams always love their assets, especially first-round draft picks.
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