The Minnesota Timberwolves made it a priority this offseason to assemble a roster capable of competing with anyone in the NBA. Some of the team’s moves were unexpected, but they have significantly improved its overall talent and potential.
The first move of the summer may have been the most surprising: trading for LaMelo Ball.
“The Charlotte Hornets are trading star guard LaMelo Ball and Josh Green to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Naz Reid and a series of draft picks, sources told ESPN’s Shams Charania on Thursday. In addition to Reid, the Hornets will receive a 2033 unprotected first-round pick and three second-round picks (2029, 2032, 2033). Charlotte also gets first-round pick swaps in 2028, 2029 and 2030,” ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk wrote.
Minnesota would also go on to add a former NBA champion in free agency. Toward the end of the summer, the Timberwolves reached an agreement with Jonathan Kuminga.
“Jonathan Kuminga has agreed to a two-year, $13 million deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves, plus a player option, agent Aaron Turner tells ESPN. Kuminga will be a starter alongside Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball, Jaden McDaniels and Rudy Gobert on the West contender,” ESPN’s Shams Charania wrote.
Despite those additions, Minnesota still has a pressing need for another versatile forward after trading away Naz Reid. CBS Sports’ Sam Quinn believes the Timberwolves could address that need by trading Donte DiVincenzo to the Dallas Mavericks for PJ Washington.
“The Mavericks have a million forwards. Masai Ujiri tends to prefer having a million forwards, but this is excessive even by the standards his Raptors teams set. Washington was acquired and extended by Nico Harrison, so he’s an obvious candidate to cash out on that forward surplus. Minnesota does as well, though both teams are lacking in tradable draft capital. Donte DiVincenzo’s shooting would look nice in Dallas, though,” Quinn wrote.
This would be an excellent move for Minnesota, as Washington would give Anthony Edwards and Ball another athletic, versatile option alongside them. His addition could also allow Kuminga to move into the small forward role, giving the Timberwolves even more flexibility with their lineup.
Washington is currently playing on an $88 million contract with Dallas. The Mavericks have been mentioned as a potential trade partner for teams interested in acquiring the versatile forward, making this a possibility worth monitoring. Adding another talented piece to an already dangerous roster could make Minnesota an even bigger threat in the Western Conference.
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