With the 2023 NBA Trade deadline coming a couple of days from today, teams in the league are on the hunt for the perfect set of cogs needed to land them a spot in the up-and-coming NBA 2022-23 playoffs.
Currently standing at the sixth seat in the Western Conference with a 28-26 win-loss card, the Minnesota Timberwolves have been busy shuffling their lineup since the offseason.
These include the addition of a couple of promising guns spearheaded by three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert, as well as the departure of a few key players, which included the likes of Patrick Beverley and Malik Beasley.
The Minneapolis-based squad has had its fair share of up-and-down moments halfway through the season. These include a five-game winning streak followed by a six-game meltdown last year, the return of sidelined players, as well as the injuries still hurting the team today.
Stepping foot in this year’s playoffs is still uncertain for Minnesota. However, the team can take a couple of alternative actions to increase their chances of securing a back-to-back appearance in the said stage, one of which is trading some of their players.
Who is currently making the headlines for the Wolves’ trading options? Does trading these players actually increase the team’s playoff chances? Moreover, does this have an impact on Minnesota’s NBA 2023 odds?
WHAT TO CONSIDER
Before discussing which Wolves is making the headlines for the upcoming trade deadline, let us first assess Minnesota’s current situation and have a look at the things needed to be considered before making any move.
Minnesota’s roster has been considered to be one of the deepest since the season began in October. However, the team’s almost even slate proves how the team lacks in some departments despite parading such a talented lineup. With this, the team can look into letting some Wolves leave the den and jump ship to another squad.
In addition, the team has all 15 slots and both two-way contracts filled; hence, the Wolves cannot have any additions to their roster unless they let go of some first. Is Minnesota’s front office already confident enough with the current lineup’s ability to advance to the playoffs, or they are looking into disposing of any of their guns to acquire one who is a better fit for the team?
Apart from these, four Wolves are currently sidelined by injuries. These include star Karl-Anthony Towns who has been out since late November due to a right calf strain and guard Jordan McLaughlin who has also missed all of Minnesota’s games since early December last year due to a left calf strain.
To add to the team’s woes, French big man Gobert also had to sit out in Minnesota’s overtime win against the Warriors due to a groin injury while six-year veteran Bryn Forbes also had to be sidelined due to an ankle injury.
With this making Minnesota the undermanned squad in their upcoming games, the team will have to rely on those who are currently available to fill in the shoes of the injured Wolves. Say they fail to efficiently cover for the sidelined ballers, trading some of them can ultimately be the team’s next option.
With these in mind, should the Wolves stick to what they currently have, or risk investing in some trades before the due is up next week?
HEADLINE MAKERS
While the trade deadline puts much pressure on Tim Connelly and the rest of Minnesota’s front office, two Wolves, D’Lo Russell and Naz Reid have also been making the headlines en route to the upcoming event.
RUSSELL
Since joining the Wolves in 2020, the 6-foot-4 guard has been doing wonders for Minnesota, standing as one of the most reliable guns of the team. In the previous season, Russell’s well-crafted plays and well-calculated shots were enough to back Towns’ numbers and end the team’s three-year absence from the playoffs.
After 50 games this season, D’Lo posted an average of 17.6 points per game, along with 6.3 assists and three rebounds. Despite generating such huge numbers, rumors about the trade of the 2015 NBA R1 second pick immediately filled the atmosphere as compared to his performance in the previous season, Russell’s outputs this year have drastically declined.
However, it is notable how the Ohio State alumni have been performing better recently than how he used to in the past few months. In the last five games he suited for Minnesota, D’Lo averaged 20.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game. In the team’s most recent matchup against Golden State, Russell dropped 29 points, two rebounds, and two assists off an outstanding 47.8 success rate from the field and 41.2 from beyond the arc.
This dramatic increase in Russell’s numbers just made the rumors about his trade grow even noisier. Should the Wolves’ front office view this as a sign of inconsistency, considering he can be at his best for a couple of games and consequently be at his worst at some point, or a motion to give him a chance to redeem himself and make up for his previous mediocre to below-average performances, considering he has been solid for the team recently?
Russell is in the last year of his four-year, $117 million deal with Minnesota and is set to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason. Should he be traded or not? Although the decision will still be in the hands of Connelly and his team, trading D’Lo and not extending his contract would mean the team will have to look for an equally- or even better-skilled guard. Otherwise, they can look into extending Russell’s stay with the team.
always showing love to the fans 🫶
3×1 Day » https://t.co/Kd7AuJTV74 pic.twitter.com/sOO5vwFHlk
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) January 7, 2023
REID
Apart from Russell, Reid has also caught the attention of many en route to the nearing trade deadline.
Acquired in 2019 through a two-way deal, the 6’9 baller has been a bankable second-center whenever Minnesota missed the services of then-main center Towns or now-center Gobert, who took over the role since joining the Wolves.
In spite of playing limited minutes, the towering cog averages 10.4 points per game this season, backed by 4.9 rebounds and 0.9 blocks. With an impressive 54/32/68 shooting split and a 111.8 defensive rating, Reid has proven himself to be effective on both ends. What more can he provide if he were given a starting nod, right?
With his four-year contract with the Wolves ending soon, a lot of teams have been rumored to be interested in acquiring his services, including the Clippers, Nuggets, and Nets. This certainly indicates that the Wolves should not let go of Reid, or they will have to search for another high-caliber, Gobert cover-worthy center.
In their recent win against the Warriors, Reid provided when the Wolves needed him the most, dropping 24 points, 13 rebounds, and four assists after starting for the team and seeing action for 35 quality minutes. This alone proves that Reid has to be kept by Minnesota unless they have other better plans.
I don’t know what the future holds for Naz Reid as it pertains to wearing a Timberwolves jersey, but he has been one of the coolest players in franchise history to watch develop.
Incredible story for the UDFA.
pic.twitter.com/ziDGftqk1U— Kyle Theige (@KyleTheige) February 2, 2023
FINAL THOUGHTS
Jumping ship from one to another can definitely be one of the most difficult decisions a player can make, especially in a tightly-contested league like the NBA. Minnesota, among other teams, only has a few days left to come up with final decisions and establish a well-built roster. Who will stay and who will depart? Let us watch out for the upcoming moves of these teams.
Fresh off a huge victory against the Warriors, the Minnesota Timberwolves will attempt to pull a back-to-back win as they face the Orlando Magic on Friday, February 3, at the Target Center.
Credits on Featured Image: Doug Wallick/The center court logo at the Target Center, in Minneapolis.
