As has been the case under head coach Chris Finch, the Minnesota Timberwolves are off to a strong start. But do the Timberwolves need to make a major move to have a legitimate chance of returning to the Western Conference finals for the third straight season?
Timberwolves Open To Trading 3-Time All-Star For Right Price, What Could They Get In Return
Minnesota sits at 10-8 as the NBA is almost through the first quarter of the season, marking the fourth time in five seasons the Wolves have posted a .500 record or better. The Timberwolves are in seventh place in the Western Conference, though they are very much within striking distance of every team ahead, with the possible exception of Oklahoma City. However, there has been much volatility in the early going despite maintaining roster stability, losing only Nickeil Alexander-Walker in free agency.
The Timberwolves have a +4.8 scoring margin, ranking in the top 10 in both scoring and defense. The Timberwolves are one of the best shooting teams in the league, knocking down 48.2% of their shots from the field and 37.8% of their 3-point attempts.
Anthony Edwards has been fantastic as usual and leads the way for the Timberwolves, though Finch has rested the 24-year-old a little more than usual. Edwards has also missed four games already, with the Wolves splitting those contests. Julius Randle is playing at an All-Star level, recording four double-doubles and two triple-doubles. Meanwhile, Jaden McDaniels is off to a career-best start.
Timberwolves Issues
Minnesota does have its issues. The Timberwolves lost all three games on their recent road trip, struggling mightily offensively. The Wolves shot just 42.7% from the field and committed 18 turnovers. Edwards thrived during this stretch as he compiled 38.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 2.3 turnovers. Gobert was great defensively and on the glass, but everyone else, particularly Randle, McDaniels, and Naz Reid.
“It’s OK to eat, enjoy each other, watch other basketball games, talk basketball, and not be all about business all the time,” Conley said about the team meeting he called on Tuesday. “Sometimes you need that.”
Minnesota is only 5-5 on the road overall and a +1,8 scoring margin. The Wolves’ most significant issue on the road is fouling, which is a problem for them overall, and creating fouls. They shoot fewer free throws on the road, while their opponents shoot four more free throws. Rebounding is also an issue on the road.
The Timberwolves are 0-7 against teams with a .500+ record. Four of those losses are by double-digits. They are also 6-7 against Western Conference foes.
Besides fouling, the Timberwolves’ biggest issues are turnovers and playmaking. Moreover, the Wolves need an upgrade at point guard as Donte DiVincenzo has started at the one for most of the season. Plus, Mike Conley has struggled shooting the ball overall, and his production has been on a downward trend, while Rob Dillingham and Bones Hyland have not shown they are capable of a bigger role. They could also add depth on the wings.
Can The Timberwolves Fix Their Problems?
Minnesota is in a solid position to earn a top-six seed, but it is the only team in the league without a win over a non-losing team. In other words, the Wolves have a lot of work to do to give themselves a chance of getting out of the first round of the playoffs.
The Timberwolves have an open roster spot. However, the Wolves don’t have much flexibility as they are over the first apron and just $3.9 million below the punitive second apron. The Wolves have been linked to Ja Morant, Trae Young, LaMelo Ball, and Darius Garland in potential trades. But they only have four first-round picks between 2026 and 2032, along with five second-round choices.
According to Bett Siegel of Clutch Points, “there is a growing sense that the Timberwolves will sell high on Julius Randle should the right star become available before February.”
Randle signed a three-year,$100 million deal with the Wolves this summer. Is making $30.8 million this year, and the final season is a player of option.
Should The Wolves Trade Julius Randle?
Randle is a three-time all-star who is an excellent scorer and playmaker. He is nearly an automatic mid-range and closer as well as a high-volume three-point shooter. He is a strong rebounder, but defense is an issue.
While I’m not a fan of the Wolves trading Randle, it would be understandable for the Wolves to explore their options. If the Wolves could secure one of the elite point guards, it may be prudent for the Wolves to make a deal. But, I’m not sure that Morant, Young, Ball, or Garland pushes them over the top without Randle.
The better option is for the Wolves to look to move Reid and Gobert for a mid-tier point guard and perhaps a draft asset or another rotational piece.
What Could the Wolves Get For Randle?
Liam Willerup of Timberwolves Roundtable proposed three trades for Randle.
Of the three, a trade to Detroit and Chicago makes sense for the Wolves. In Willerup’s scenario, the Wolves would send Randle and Dillingham to Detroit for Tobias Harris, Jaden Ivey, and a 2026 first-round pick.
In the Chicago trade, Willerup has Randle and Hyland heading to the Bulls for Coby White, Kevin Huerter, and a 2028 second-round pick.
None of these trades are home runs, so the Wolves should keep Randle until after the season.
What About A Trade For Gobert or Reid?
What could the Wolves get in a trade for Gobert: Perhaps a protected first-rounder and salary cap relief, or a rotational wing and a second-round pick in 2026.
However, Daniel Alameida of The Wright Way proposed an interesting, though not entirely realistic, trade package: Reid, Gobert, and a draft pick for Joel Embiid.
Since Reid has been one of the best sixth men in the league the past couple of seasons and is only 26 years old, his trade value is pretty high. Reid, who signed a five-year, $125 million extension this summer, could be part of a package for a star guard that has already been mentioned. However, a more realistic trade is for a mid-tier point guard like Collin Sexton, Tyus Jones, or Anthony Black, as part of a package that could include wing depth or draft compensation.
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