Basketball is played on two ends of the floor. The best teams realize think. Go through history. Take a look at the vast majority of NBA champions. In all likelihood, they fielded a top-10 team on offense and defense.
The Minnesota Timberwolves realize this. That’s why they acquired Rudy Gobert last summer. The idea was to have him defend the rim as a result of Karl-Anthony Towns’ inability to do the same.
Unfortunately, it hasn’t gone that way. Gobert remains an elite interior defender, but Towns can’t guard the perimeter, either. In all likelihood, the best type of player to cover for Towns’ defensive limitations would be a more versatile big man. How about Chet Holmgren of the Oklahoma City Thunder?
The Trade Proposal
Minnesota Timberwolves Receive: F Davis Bertans, G/F Luguentz Dort, 2024 First-Round Pick (UTA via OKC), 2025 First-Round Pick (MIA via OKC), 2026 First-Round Pick (LAC via UTA), 2027 First-Round Pick (OKC)
Oklahoma City Thunder Receive: F/C Karl-Anthony Towns
On the other hand, building a dominant two-way team is difficult. In the NBA, you can only take the talent you receive. The Wolves selected Towns with the first overall pick? Who could blame them? His talent was obvious at the college level, and it’s translated to the NBA.
To an extent. Towns’ defensive limitations weren’t as apparent in college. He’s one of the best offensive big men in NBA history, but the Timberwolves have had difficulty building a successful squad around Towns.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Karl-Anthony Towns, Oklahoma City Thunder & Minnesota Timberwolves Updates
The Thunder are trying to avoid the same issue. If you look at this roster, it’s obvious that the Thunder have had a simple draft philosophy. This team wants two-way players. Should they compromise that plan by acquiring Towns?
Why The Oklahoma City Thunder Do The Deal
At some point, the Thunder have to consolidate their assets. Let’s start there. This team cannot keep every pick they own. The Thunder have the deepest reserve of draft capital ever assembled. They won’t have room on their salary sheet for everyone.
Why not assemble some picks for one of the best offensive big men in NBA history? Sure, Towns doesn’t fit their preferred profile, but the Thunder’s offense would likely explode after adding him.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Karl-Anthony Towns, Oklahoma City Thunder & Minnesota Timberwolves Updates
Meanwhile, they may have the players to cover for him. In particular, Holmgren should be useful. He could thrive as a weakside shot blocker with the mobility to cover the paint from the perimeter alongside Towns. Should the Wolves help the Thunder put that duo together?
Why The Minnesota Timberwolves Do The Deal
Here’s a question: would the Timberwolves take the Gobert trade back if they could? They’d have to be tempted, right? There are functional concerns about their frontcourt duo. Not only does is force Towns to guard the perimeter, but Gobert and Towns are collectively slow.
Unfortunately, they won’t be able to take the Gobert trade back. If the Wolves put Gobert on the trade market, they wouldn’t receive nearly the same return that they sent out for him.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Karl-Anthony Towns, Oklahoma City Thunder & Minnesota Timberwolves Updates
So, why not trade Towns instead? This deal makes up all of the draft capital that Minnesota lost by trading Gobert. Meanwhile, Dort would join Gobert and Jaden McDaniels to form one of the best defensive front courts in the NBA while Anthony Edwards handles the offense. That could be a recipe for a strong two-way team.
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