Minnesota Timberwolves Receive: F Danilo Gallinari, ATL 2021 2nd Round Pick (Pick #48)
Atlanta Hawks Receive: G Ricky Rubio, G Jarrett Culver
Given that they spent a lot of money last offseason to acquire Danilo Gallinari and he definitely aided them offensively at both forward positions, it seems hard to believe that the Hawks would look to trade him this offseason, but getting out of his big contract now could definitely be beneficial to them.
Gallinari is owed $41.9M over the next two seasons and if Atlanta wants to bring back John Collins this offseason on a long-term deal, as well as get a max-extension done with Trae Young in the imminent future, then they will have to have funds they can allocate rather easily over the next few years unless they want to pay a ton of luxury taxes.
Bringing back Collins will put the Hawks over the salary cap for the 2021-22 season and they will also have numerous roster spots still to fill, which could inch them closer and closer to the hard cap. Trae Young is still under contract for the 2021-22 season at $8.3M, but next season would be the first-year of his rookie max contract extension, should he and the Hawks reach an agreement on a deal before the start of next season.
In this deal, the Hawks would be taking on an extra $3.7M in contracts for the upcoming year, but Ricky Rubio is only under contract for one more year and Jarrett Culver is one a rookie contract in which the final year of his contract can be declined by Atlanta.
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Outside of Russell, Towns and Edwards, the Minnesota Timberwolves really do not have many contributors. Jaden McDaniels had a solid rookie season, Juancho Hernangomez contributed here and there off-the-bench and Malik Beasley is a big question mark after being sentenced to 120-days in jail this summer due to prior threats of violence.
The Timberwolves really need to upgrade their supporting cast around their core, which is why adding Gallinari could end up being a smart move for them. Since his rookie season in 2008-09, Danilo Gallinari has averaged double-digit scoring numbers every single year and has shot 38.2% from three-point range over the course of his career.
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Minnesota needs guys who can score in their second-unit and at almost 33-years-old, Gallinari is exactly the kind of veetran talent this team needs to find. Young players create potential to win in the future, but D’Angelo Russell and Karl-Anthony Towns want to win now with the Wolves, which is why a deal like this one could be on the horizon for this franchise.
Now, let’s take a look at if this trade makes sense not only for the Minnesota Timberwolves, but the Atlanta Hawks as well, especially after they just reached the Eastern Conference Finals this past season with Danilo Gallinari being a key member of their roster.
