Jim Mone / Associated Press
The no. 1-picking is a boon for the long haul of the Timberwolves. D’Angelo Russell, Karl-Anthony Towns, Jarrett Culver, Malik Beasley (restricted), Josh Okogie and Anthony Edwards provide a legitimate top six.
Are they also preparing for a playoff team in the West? Eh, probably not. All 15 teams in the West will be even more hopeful when things stand next year. Minnesota would only work with a handful of proven players, plus whoever they sign with the exception at the midfield.
That is not conducive to an immediate return to the playoffs, and the Timberwolves have served as a team that is most engaged right now. Next year’s choice is indebted to the Warriors with incredible light protection (top three) before going unprotected in 2022. They have no time to take the ultra-gradual approach, not even with Russell (2023 free agent) and Towns (2024) signed by at least 2022-23.
And that’s the other thing: Minnesota’s two best players are already on max deals. Beasley is about to sign his second contract. This is not a typical price-fixing roster. And although that shouldn’t invite the Timberwolves out of no. 1 to go, however, it requires a certain level of urgency.
Attempting for the availability of Devin Booker is encouraged, but always useless. They could give Bradley Beal a look, but with the defensive problems he has raised, they should know that he plans to sign in 2022. (Assuming Booker – if they could, what they could not – poses the same defensive headache, but he’s younger and signed through 2023-24 and of course existed with DLo and KAT.)
Talking to the Pacers about Victor Oladipo or the Pelicans about Jrue Holiday (2021 player option) is worth a try, but with both free agency tackles, the Timberwolves should get back added value. The list of potentially available All-Stars juggling the Minnesota one-two punch-peters here, with the caveat that all the names already mentioned may not even be close by.
Not all trading scenarios have to go earth though. The Timberwolves can look forward to moving to a pack of another lottery pick and veteran. But finding that exact deal would be a challenge. Potential scenarios run dry fast.
Gets the frame of Otto Porter Jr. and no. 4 did it? Would the Bulls also include Lauri Markkanen? Made by John Collins and no. 6 for no. 1 sentence for Minnesota or Atlanta? Chalk Buddy Hield and no. 12 the Timberwolves’ attention? Is Dejounte Murray, Derrick White, Rudy Gay and no. 11 too rich for San Antonio? Not enough for Minnesota?
You can see the issues where a store-it mandate is. However, the Timberwolves do not escape it. They have shown that they are more for today than tomorrow, and in this concept, with so little guaranteed at the top, they should feel an obligation to solicit bids for the no. 1 pick more than they would in most years.
Verdict: Shop it
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