We all make mistakes in life. NBA general managers are no exception. Just like us, all they can do is try to correct their mistakes and move on.
Did the Minnesota Timberwolves make a mistake by acquiring Rudy Gobert? They may not want to admit it. From our perspective, it feels like it. Gobert did not appear to be a good fit alongside Karl-Anthony Towns last season. Now, the Timberwolves have a dilemma.
Sure, they could try to trade Gobert. Something tells us that the return they’d get would pale in comparison to what they sent out for Gobert. Alternatively, if they did make Towns available, they should be able to get a great return. Could they send him to the Charlotte Hornets?
The Trade Proposal
Minnesota Timberwolves Receive: G Terry Rozier, F/C P.J. Washington, 2026 First-Round Pick (CHA), 2028 First-Round Pick (CHA)
Charlotte Hornets Receive: F/C Karl-Anthony Towns
With that said, building an NBA team is complicated. You want to avoid redundant players. On the other hand, you want to stockpile as much talent as possible. Teams make mistakes. Did the Hornets make one this summer?
Some believe that they did. We’re talking about the Draft. The Hornets had the second overall pick. Fans and analysts alike thought Scoot Henderson was the obvious choice. The Hornets thought differently. In the end, they selected Brandon Miller.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves & Charlotte Hornets Updates
In a way, the Hornets were trying to avoid the same fate as the Timberwolves – they didn’t want redundant stars on their roster. With Ball running point, what would Henderson do? Still, if Henderson is a superstar, and Miller is not, the Hornets may wish they’d selected differently. Would acquiring Towns be a mistake as well?
Why The Charlotte Hornets Do The Deal
Some Hornets fans will think so. They’ll be content to stick with Mark Williams. To be sure, Williams looks the part of a great defensive big. By contrast, Towns struggles on that end of the floor.
With that said, he’s also one of the best offensive big men in the NBA. Williams will never reach that level. Meanwhile, the dynamic between Ball and Towns ought to be nearly unguardable. If the Hornets want to lean into an offensive identity, acquiring Towns could be an option.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves & Charlotte Hornets Updates
What would they do with Williams? We’re not sure. The Hornets could trade him to further bolster their core. The point here is for Charlotte to assemble one of the best offensive duos in the NBA in Ball and Towns. If Miller pans out, his floor spacing will only make this group stronger. Should the Wolves help the Hornets assemble an offensive powerhouse?
Why The Minnesota Timberwolves Do The Deal
Meanwhile, the Timberwolves have opposite intentions here. They’ll be downgrading on offense. The Wolves are thinking about the opposite end of the floor.
With Towns out, the Wolves would likely start Jaden McDaniels alongside Gobert. That should be a recipe for one of the best defenses in the NBA. Meanwhile, adding the multi-positional Washington will give them considerable versatility on that end of the floor. Of course, they’ve got to think of their offense as well. That’s where Rozier comes in.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves & Charlotte Hornets Updates
Is he as productive as Towns? Of course not. Still, with an offense that’s built around Anthony Edwards, Rozier should function as a solid second option. Finally, the Wolves are landing two unprotected firsts here. That makes up for some of the draft capital they lost in the Gobert trade. The Wolves simply have to be willing to admit that they made a mistake.
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