Minnesota Timberwolves Receive: C Deandre Ayton, F Jae Crowder, G/F Buddy Hield, PHX 2023 1st Round Pick (Top-5 Protected, then 2024 Unprotected if not conveyed), PHX 2025 1st Round pick (Top-5 Protected, then 2026 Unprotected if not conveyed)
Phoenix Suns Receive: C Karl-Anthony Towns
Sacramento Kings Receive: G Malik Beasley, F Jalen Smith, PHX 2022 2nd Round Pick, WAS 2022 2nd Round Pick (via MIN)
Having Devin Booker reunite with former Kentucky Wildcat Karl-Anthony Towns has long been a dream of NBA fans around the nation and this trade would allow the two former teammates to play together in Phoenix.
After not extending Deandre Ayton, there has been a lot of discussion around the league of where the Suns currently view the status of Ayton. Drafted first overall in 2018, Deandre Ayton has improved every single season he has been in Phoenix and recently was a big part of why they made it to the NBA Finals.
It was very shocking to see that they did not offer him a max contract extension and as a result, management could be interested in moving him for someone like Karl-Anthony Towns, who is already an established All-Star in this league.
The Sacramento Kings are kind of in the same boat as the Minnesota Timberwolves in terms of being a team looking to break a playoff drought in the Western Conference, but they have shown the willingness to move on from Buddy Hield.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: NBA Teams Monitoring Karl-Anthony Towns Trade Availability
In fact, they had a deal in-place this offseason to send Hield to the Los Angeles Lakers in return for a package that included Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell and others. Unfortunately for the Kings, the Lakers turned on this trade and made one with the Wizards instead, landing Russell Westbrook in the process.
Hield still remains a member of the Kings organization, but with an unwanted, long-term contract and being replaceable, Sacramento is likely going to look to move him ahead of the trade deadline. Getting Malik Beasley, Jalen Smith and two immediate second-round picks is not the kind of value they have in mind for Hield right now, but may be what they are willing to settle for.
For Minnesota, Deandre Ayton would be a huge addition if they were to trade away Towns and the depth/high-level play they would get from Jae Crowder and Buddy Hield would immediately throw this team in the 6-seed to 10-seed region of the Western Conference.
With more depth and more offensive/defensive firepower, the Minnesota Timberwolves would have a very balanced team and the best part is that they would still be getting younger. Jae Crowder and Buddy Hield are a bit older, but the T-Wolves would be gaining two first-round picks in this trade for the Suns, allowing them to continue building a young, sustainable core.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: NBA Teams Monitoring Karl-Anthony Towns Trade Availability
Looking to make it back to the NBA Finals, Phoenix knows they need a little bit more talent on their roster and by moving both Crowder, Ayton and some draft picks, they can add one of the best centers in the league to their team in Karl-Anthony Towns.
A core of Paul, Booker, Towns, Bridges and some key secondary talents gives them enough firepower to not only make it back to the NBA Finals, but potentially win their first title in franchise history.
