One NBA writer is proposing that the Minnesota Timberwolves trade Karl-Anthony Towns for Damian Lillard, who has requested a trade from the Portland Trail Blazers.
Eddie Bitar of Fadeaway World proposed that the Timberwolves send Towns and Shake Milton to the Blazers for Lillard.
“The trade of Towns and Milton for Lillard could present a compelling opportunity for both the Timberwolves and Blazers,” Bitar wrote. “For the Timberwolves, acquiring Lillard would give them a true superstar and a proven leader to build around. Pairing Lillard with young star Anthony Edwards and other promising talents like Jaden McDaniels and an All-Star like Rudy Gobert could create an exciting and dynamic core for the Timberwolves’ future. Lillard’s veteran presence would also provide valuable guidance to their young roster.
“On the other hand, the Blazers would receive Towns, an All-Star caliber center with immense offensive skills and rebounding prowess. Towns’ skill to score inside and stretch the floor with his three-point shooting would complement Scoot Henderson and Anfernee Simons’ scoring and provide a formidable frontcourt duo.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Damian Lillard, Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves & Portland Trail Blazers Updates
Lillard averaged 32.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 7.3 assists for the Blazers last season. He is one of the best players in the NBA. The future Hall of Famer has career averages of 25.2 points, 4.2 rebounds and 6.7 assists.
A seven-time NBA All-Star, Lillard only wants to get traded to the Miami Heat. The Blazers, though, are “disinclined” to engage the Heat in serious Lillard trade talks, according to NBA insider Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. Since Lillard doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract, the Blazers can trade the Weber State product anywhere. Portland can even keep Lillard and force him to honor his contract.
The Blazers used Summer League in Las Vegas to get a fuller sense of the trade market for Lillard, according to NBA insider Sam Amick of The Athletic. Portland general manager Joe Cronin told NBA reporters in Vegas that he’s willing to wait months to trade Lillard.
The Timberwolves made a massive trade last summer, acquiring Rudy Gobert from the Utah Jazz. It will be fascinating to see if Minnesota makes a play for Lillard this offseason involving Towns. NBA insiders Tim MacMahon and Jamal Collier of ESPN think Towns is a player who has flown under the radar in free agency but could be a big storyline at the 2024 February trade deadline.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Damian Lillard, Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves & Portland Trail Blazers Updates
A Kentucky product, Towns averaged 20.8 points, 8.1 rebounds and 4.8 assists last season while shooting 49.5% from the floor, 36.6% from 3 and 87.4% from the free-throw line. The three-time NBA All-Star signed a four-year, $224.2 million designated veteran player extension with the Timberwolves in July 2022.
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