With the new year now finally upon us, speculation ahead of the 2020 NBA Trade Deadline is in full swing. Whether Minnesota Timberwolves fans are in consensus about what the team ought to do before the Feb. 6, 2020 cut off or not, anticipation mounts across all fanbases that there will be fireworks.
In this post, just one of a series of 30, we’ll break down the reports that have started to trickle out about Wolves players that may or may not be on the move. While there’s no guarantee when it comes to a league as wild as the modern NBA, it doesn’t hurt to brush up on each squad’s roster as the deadline draws near.
Players Unlikely To Be Traded
- Karl-Anthony Towns
- Jarrett Culver
This is a team that could look drastically different at the beginning of the 2020-21 season; it’s just a matter of whether Minnesota makes moves prior to the deadline or this summer. The franchise had hopes of making the postseason, though it would be a wild upset if that happens now after a half-season of injuries and disappointment. Despite all the Karl-Anthony Towns trade speculation, the team isn’t moving its franchise cornerstone over the next week. It would be nearly as surprising if the Wolves deal Jarrett Culver, who was the No. 6 overall pick in the 2019 draft.
Biggest Name Available On Market
- Robert Covington
The Wolves are shopping Covington and several teams are interested. The Sixers have eyes for their former wing and the Mavs have been linked to him. He’s on a team-friendly contract that will pay him $11.3M this season, $12.1M next, and $13.0M in 2021-22. Contenders with higher payrolls would love to have someone who can contribute at this price tag.
Logical Trade Pieces
- Andrew Wiggins
Andrew Wiggins hasn’t lived up to the expectations of being the No. 1 pick back in 2014. However, he’s having a bit of a resurgence this season, scoring 22.9 points while sporting a career-high 16.9 player efficiency rating. He’s making $27.5M this season and he’s owed over $94M in the ensuing three years. That deal has never looked as attractive as it does this season.
Trades Are Possible
- Allen Crabbe
- Gorgui Dieng
- Jake Layman
- Josh Okogie
- Noah Vonleh
- Shabazz Napier
- Jordan Bell
- Keita Bates-Diop
- Jaylen Nowell
- Naz Reid
Allen Crabbe recently came over in the Jeff Teague trade. While it’s unlikely that the team deals him, if the Wolves do, they’ll face restrictions: Crabbe can’t be combined with other players on the team in a deal. 🏀 Gorgui Dieng is available. He’s got one more year on his contract after this season. 🏀 Jake Laymen signed with the team over the summer. He has appeared in just 14 games for the club. 🏀 Josh Okogie has seen action in 46 games for Minnesota. He’s under team control through the 2021-22 campaign. 🏀 Noah Vonleh joined the team during the offseason on a one year, $2.0M deal. He’s sporting a career-high 15.6 player efficiency rating. 🏀 Shabazz Napier joined Minnesota via a trade with the Warriors (he was dealt to Golden State in the Kevin Durant sign-and-trade over the summer). 🏀 Jordan Bell inked a one-year deal with the Wolves back in July and he hasn’t really had too much of an impact for the team other than having his shirt untucked during a December game which cost them the win. 🏀 Keita Bates-Diop has appeared in 35 games for Minnesota. His contract for next season is non-guaranteed. Jaylen Nowell has seen action in just seven games for the club. The 2019 No. 43 overall pick spent much of his rookie season in the G League. 🏀 Undrafted rookie Naz Reid has received some opportunity for the club, though he has some work to do on his game. The center is making just 39.6% of 91 attempts from the field.
