It’s no secret that the Minnesota Timberwolves have been searching for a long-term resolution at level guard. With Mike Conley growing older, and the emergence of Anthony Edwards as a celebrity, the Timberwolves would profit from an improve of their backcourt.
Minnesota has been thriving even with the uncertainty at level guard. They’re within the prime ten in each offensive and defensive score, and are 27-18 up to now on the yr. The Wolves have misplaced 4 in a row, however are solely a half-game out of the fourth seed within the West.
Minnesota has been scoping the commerce marketplace for a greater floor-general upfront of the commerce deadline February fifth. Chicago Bulls guard Coby White has come up essentially the most in these conversations, nevertheless it stays to be seen if the Wolves will likely be keen to tug the set off.
There may be one polarizing title that has come up as a possible match for Minnesota, however given what it will price, it will be sensible for them to not pull the set off.
The Timberwolves ought to keep away from buying Ja Morant
Morant is within the midst of the worst season of his profession. He’s averaging his lowest factors per sport since his second yr within the league, his field-goal and three-point percentages are career-lows, and his sport wouldn’t match with Edwards.
Morant’s strengths don’t align with what the Wolves must prioritize round Edwards. Morant is at his greatest getting downhill and playmaking, whereas Edwards wants the area to function. Having two non-shooters on the ground in Morant and Gobert for a majority of video games would compromise Minnesota’s spacing, particularly throughout crunch time.
Moreover, Morant’s huge wage can be an impediment. He’s making nearly $40 million this season, and his wage will increase to $42 million subsequent season and $44 million the yr after. As a way to match his wage, it will require the Wolves need to half with two of Julius Randle, Donte DiVencenzo, and Naz Reid, which isn’t value it for them.
Randle is having one of the best season of his profession, DiVencenzo has been an incredible match subsequent to Edwards due to the floor-spacing he offers, and Reid has been a stabilizing presence for Minnesota’s bench for years.
Given the poor match on the court docket and what it will price to accumulate Morant, the Wolves ought to keep away. They’d profit from buying a less expensive possibility like White or Tre Jones from the Bulls. Making a blockbuster transfer when they’re probably the greatest groups within the West up to now could be an enormous miscalculation on their finish.
