NBA Draft: Chasing the Stars

The NBA offseason has rapidly descended upon this week. The league has blown into full-on craziness as the rumors are flying every which way as teams position themselves for the draft on Thursday, as well as the free agency period to come thereafter.

This year, there are several NBA Superstars, or about to become Superstars, who are reportedly available. What would it take for the Wolves to get one of these players?

Paul George

Paul George wants out of Indiana and seems destined for Lakerland. That much is very clear. George has reportedly told other teams that even if they trade for him, there is nothing they can do to convince him to go play in Los Angeles for the Lakers. This leaves few teams that could convince themselves that they could still sway George. The Cavaliers and Celtics are two of the teams that are most commonly coming up, the Celtics, of course, certainly have the bankroll for such a trade.

The Cavaliers do not and have been trying to get other teams involved. The Wolves may be one of those teams, as they could use their assets to swing a three-team deal with the Pacers and Cavs. This would likely mean the return of Kevin Love to Minnesota, which would certainly fill the gap at power forward.

One theoretical trade:

Cavs Receiving:
Paul George
Cole Aldrich (for salary purposes)

Wolves receiving:
Kevin Love

Pacers receiving:
Iman Shumpert
#7 Pick
Kris Dunn

Trade Machine says Yes!

Jimmy Butler

Once again, the Jimmy Butler- Tom Thibodeau idea has resurfaced and a #Wojbomb has declared that the teams have made contact over this trade. It seemed like this was a real possibility last year during the draft and the Wolves have extremely similar assets to last year. What would it take for the Wolves do this trade? The real question that will likely divide Wolves fans is to trade Andrew Wiggins or not. My personal confession, I traded Wiggins for Butler in this year’s infamous Canis Hoopus Mock Draft, where I sent Wiggins, Tyus Jones, and the #7 pick for Jimmy Butler and Bobby Portis. I felt good about that trade, but I imagine it would make some Wolves fans unhappy.

If the Wolves can do this trade without Wiggins, then it would likely take either Kris Dunn or Zach LaVine. The Bulls supposedly loved Dunn, but so does Tom Thibodeau. Would the Bulls want Zach LaVine? Should the Wolves trade Zach LaVine? LaVine’s injury makes him such a hard player to evaluate for trade value, as he is a player who relies on his athleticism and he is due a big raise.

One Option

Wolves receiving
Jimmy Butler
Bobby Portis (I like him)

Bulls receiving:
Kris Dunn
#7 Pick
Zach LaVine
Cole Aldrich (for salary purposes)

Trade Machine says Yes! LaVine fans say sad :(

Kristaps Porzingis

Senile Phil Jackson has entered the fray. Porzingod is reportedly on the market, for a high price. Jackson wants to run the triangle and maybe he thinks sweet Lauri Markkanen can be an adequate Latvian Three Six Mafia replacement. Karl-Anthony Towns and Porzingis on the same team would be the best thing ever. The Knicks supposedly want a cost-controlled guard and two first round picks. Let’s give it a shot. They also supposedly love Nemanja Bjelica for some reason.

Wolves receiving
Kristaps Porzingis
Joakim Noah

Knicks receiving:
Kris Dunn
Nemanja Bjelica
#7 Pick
2020 First Round Pick
Cole Aldrich

Trade Machine says Yes! Knicks fans curse the day Phil Jackson was born.

Will any of these trades happen? No. But it is fun to imagine that they might. On a more realistic note, the Wolves would likely get outclassed in any deal for Porzingis, as the Celtics or Suns could swoop in with better assets and picks. The Wolves would probably have to lose LaVine in order to make it work.

But Jimmy Butler, that could be more real. It really depends on how far the Wolves want to go.