Minnesota Timberwolves Receive: F Gordon Hayward, C Kai Jones, 2022 First-Round Pick (CHA) 2024 First-Round Pick (CHA), 2026 First-Round Pick (CHA), 2028 First-Round Pick (CHA)

Charlotte Hornets Receive: C Karl-Anthony Towns

Consider this the godfather offer.

Here, the Minnesota Timberwolves swap their former number one overall pick for a boatload of draft capital. It would be a bold move: in fact, it would shock fans across the NBA. It may also pay dividends in the long run.

After all, Kai Jones is an intriguing prospect who is closer to Anthony Edwards’ age. That’s pertinent. The Wolves would be triggering a mini-rebuild here. They’d already have their franchise centerpiece, and now, they’d be fleshing the roster out exclusively around him.

Gaining four new first-round picks aids that effort. Meanwhile, they’re taking on Hayward’s deal to make the money work. They’d likely buy him out, or send him to another team in a separate transaction.

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That could be unappealing to the Wolves. They may prefer to avoid the headache of figuring out what to do with a veteran who is presumably uninterested in their rebuilding process. If so, there could be another trade that’s workable involving Hayward.