Around the NBA, some teams appear stuck. They aren’t as competitive as they’d like to be, and they don’t have the assets to improve. At the same time, no team is stuck – they simply need to think outside of the box.
Take the Los Angeles Clippers. They’re as close to being stuck as any team in the league. The Clippers have very little draft capital. Meanwhile, they’re built around two injury-prone wings. Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are both dynamic 3-and-D shot creators, but if they can’t stay on the floor, their skills don’t count for much.
The Minnesota Timberwolves may be close to being stuck as well. They also have a poor collection of draft capital, and the pairing between Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert looked questionable last season. The Wolves need to think outside of the box. Could they trade Towns to the Clippers?
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
In the end, no team is stuck. There is always an option. Even if you’ve got no draft capital, you can establish a culture with the players you’ve got. Just look at the recent history of the Brooklyn Nets.
Recently, they were a failed super team. No, not that superteam – the one before that one. The Nets had exhausted their draft capital to acquire Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce. It wasn’t worthwhile. So, the Nets built a winning culture around a ragtag group of talent. In the end, that’s how they attracted Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves & Los Angeles Clippers Updates
You know the rest – that didn’t work either. Now, the Nets are left with another group of ragtag talent. If they can establish a winning culture, look for them to rise again. Would this deal help the Wolves establish a winning culture?
Why The Minnesota Timberwolves Do The Deal
This is not an especially analogous situation to the Nets, actually. For starters, the Nets play in one of the league’s best markets – the Timberwolves do not. On the other hand, the Wolves have something that Brooklyn did not have at that moment in time. They have a young superstar in Anthony Edwards.
So, the Wolves don’t need to rebuild. They need to retool. This deal would give them a different identity. With a frontcourt of Gobert, Jaden McDaniels, and George, they could have one of the better defenses in the NBA. Meanwhile, George would be a perfect second option behind Edwards.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves & Los Angeles Clippers Updates
Finally, the Wolves also land an unprotected first here as well. That’s because George is older than Towns, and so injury-prone. All told, this could make Minnesota a better team while landing them a future asset. What does this deal do for the Clippers?
Why The Los Angeles Clippers Do The Deal
Towns has been a complicated player for the Wolves to build around. He’s one of the best offensive big men in the NBA, but he struggles to defend. That’s why they acquired Gobert. Unfortunately, Towns struggled even more mightily on the perimeter.
Who’s the ideal co-star for Towns? In all likelihood, that would be an elite defensive wing. Why not Kawhi Leonard? If he can get healthy, he remains one of the best two-way players in the NBA. Meanwhile, acquiring Towns could allow the Clippers to move Ivica Zubac and continue to balance their roster.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves & Los Angeles Clippers Updates
If Leonard can’t get healthy? The Clippers landed Towns. Recall the Nets – the Clippers also play in a big market. If they can just do the right things, they could attract star talent to play with Towns in Los Angeles. In other words, they may not be stuck anymore.
Want the latest NBA analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click Here. Follow NBA Analysis Network on Twitter and Facebook.
Interested in reading the latest storylines and analysis in the NFL? Check out our partner NFL Analysis Network.
