Being a general manager in the NBA isn’t easy. Sometimes, you’ve got to make difficult decisions. Often, that means trading a star player. If a team hangs onto a star for too long, they can tank their own trade value. The more apparent that it feels that a plan isn’t working, the fewer teams will offer a team to help fix that situation.
The Minnesota Timberwolves may be reaching that point. Karl-Anthony Towns has been their star player for a long time, and it’s hardly gotten them anywhere. Is it time for a change?
Is it time for the Los Angeles Clippers to make a change? This team’s star duo of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are regularly hurt. Could they move one or the other for a more durable star? Could that star be Towns?
The Trade Proposal
Minnesota Timberwolves Receive: G/F Paul George, 2029 First-Round Pick (LAC)
Los Angeles Clippers Receive: F/C Karl-Anthony Towns, F Kyle Anderson
For that matter, decision-making in any realm of life is difficult. You’ve got to find a balance between being patient and being expeditious. Take relationships. If you leave a partner at the first sight of trouble, you may never find love. By contrast, at some point, you’ve got to see that enough is enough.
NBA teams need to use the same balance. They don’t want to trade a star player the first time they have a disappointing season. Often, we’ve seen contending teams take time to find their footing.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves & Los Angeles Clippers Updates
On the other hand, you don’t want to travel too far down the wrong path either. All told, it’s a balance that every GM needs to find. Is it really time for the Timberwolves to cut ties with Towns?
Why The Minnesota Timberwolves Do The Deal
We think so. In some respects, it isn’t even Towns’ fault. The Timberwolves chose to acquire Rudy Gobert to offset Towns’ limited interior defense.
Unfortunately, the fit between the two appeared questionable in 2022-23. In the modern NBA, running two bigs who can’t guard the perimeter can be difficult. Here, the Wolves are modernizing.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves & Los Angeles Clippers Updates
They could hardly find a better player to do that with than George. He’ll join Gobert and Jaden McDaniels to form one of the best defensive front courts in the NBA. Meanwhile, he’ll be an elite second offensive option behind Anthony Edwards. Should the Clippers part with such a useful player?
Why The Los Angeles Clippers Do The Deal
It does feel like the Clippers need a reset. Are they being impatient? Arguably. With that said, the problem they’re facing is a unique one. It’s hard to name many teams in NBA history that were built around two players who are as injury-prone as this duo.
Some will prefer a different sort of fresh start for them. That’s fair. The Clippers could get a lot of first-round picks for either Leonard or George. Here, they’re actually giving up a pick to bring in a younger player.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves & Los Angeles Clippers Updates
So? That younger player is one of the best offensive big men in NBA history. Towns could be the Clippers’ new franchise player. If Kawhi Leonard can just get healthy, he could even make them a better team. This may not be an easy decision – but it could be the best one the Clippers ever made.
Want the latest NBA analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click Here. Follow NBA Analysis Network on Twitter and Facebook.
