The 2023 NBA offseason is upon us and NBA rumors are picking up steam across the league. One player that has grown accustomed to seeing his name in trade rumors in recent years is Minnesota Timberwolves’ superstar big man Karl-Anthony Towns. More of the same can be said for this offseason and in this article we’re going to ponder the idea of him being traded to the Memphis Grizzlies.
Granted, there have been so many rumors and trade ideas involving Towns over the last few offseason periods and nothing has happened. However, we are in a period of the NBA where blockbuster trades are happening out of nowhere.
NBA RUMORS & NEWS: Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, & Karl-Anthony Towns Updates
Thinking about the potential fit of Towns with the Grizzlies is intriguing. Everything in Memphis hinges on the ability of Ja Morant to get his off-the-court issues straightened out. If he can do that, the Grizzlies have the talent to be a legitimate NBA Finals contender in the Western Conference even without a piece like Towns.
On the other side of things, the Timberwolves have struggled in mediocrity for years. They have been much more competitive over the last two years, but simply have not had enough to get over the hump.
A big concern for Minnesota moving forward is how Towns fits alongside Rudy Gobert. After giving up a king’s ransom last offseason to trade for Gobert, it seems unlikely that they are ready to give up on the French big man just yet. Trading Towns isn’t a great option either, but it’s one that the team should consider.
NBA RUMORS & NEWS: Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, & Karl-Anthony Towns Updates
What could a trade between the Grizzlies and Timberwolves look like to send Towns to Memphis? Let’s dive in and take a look at the hypothetical trade and why it could make perfect sense for both sides.
The Hypothetical Trade
Grizzlies Receive: Karl-Anthony Towns
Timberwolves Receive: Steven Adams, Xavier Tillman, Luke Kennard, Ziaire Williams, 2024 First-Round Pick
In this deal, the Timberwolves are able to bring back a major haul for their star big man. Losing a talent like Towns is never an easy thing to do, but the pieces coming back make a ton of sense. For the Grizzlies, the trade would be a no-brainer to add Towns alongside Morant, Desmond Bane, and Jaren Jackson Jr.
Without further adieu, let’s talk about why the deal makes sense for both parties.
NBA RUMORS & NEWS: Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, & Karl-Anthony Towns Updates
Why The Grizzlies Should Pull The Trigger
Quite simply, the Grizzlies would be getting the best player in this trade by a long shot. If a team can walk away from a deal and know that they got the best player, that has to feel like a win.
Towns is coming off of yet another big season with the Timberwolves in the 2022-23 season. He averaged 20.8 points per game to go along with 8.1 rebounds and 4.8 assists. In addition to those averages, he shot 49.5 percent from the floor overall and knocked down an impressive 36.6 percent of his three-point attempts.
The only question would be how Towns fits alongside Jackson. But, both players are capable of playing without the ball and are also capable of creating their own shot. If they bought into a system, the fit could be seamless.
Being able to acquire that kind of offense would be huge for the Grizzlies in the fort-court. Towns would immediately take a ton of pressure off of the perimeter, which would allow Morant to be even more dangerous on the offensive end.
Overall, there is absolutely nothing to not like about this deal for Memphis. Acquiring Towns would be arguably the most perfect move that they could make at this point in time.
NBA RUMORS & NEWS: Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, & Karl-Anthony Towns Updates
Why The Timberwolves Should Like This Trade
While the Grizzlies would be getting the best player in this deal, the Timberwolves would finally have a direction. Building around Anthony Edwards seems like the best course of action in Minnesota right now. Edwards and Towns play well off of each other, but the roster as a whole simply has not been talented enough.
Acquiring Luke Kennard would give the Timberwolves more perimeter shooting, while both Xavier Tillman and Ziaire Williams could end up being quality role players. The 2024 first-round pick is simply a sweeter in this trade.
Minnesota would be able to deploy a lineup with Gobert as their clear-cut and only big. He simply has not fit well with Towns. This would alleviate any of those issues that glared during the past season.
Most Timberwolves’ fans are likely not loving this deal due to only getting one first-round pick. Despite that fact, this is the kind of trade that could actually improve Minnesota by quite a few wins. Adding more rotational pieces and giving both Edwards and Gobert more freedom could be huge.
There are plenty of other teams around the NBA that could offer a better trade package, but a lot of those teams aren’t necessarily looking for a big like Towns.
If the Timberwolves can find a way to trade Karl-Anthony Towns and get multiple rotation pieces and a pick back, they should absolutely explore that option heavily.
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