Every year, the NBA gives us a Cinderella story. Inevitably, one team will far outperform expectations. We counted them out in the summer, and they’re proving us wrong.
This year, it’s the Minnesota Timberwolves. Sure, this team has talent. A marginal improvement over last year wouldn’t have come as a surprise. Still, nobody expected the Wolves to be one of the best teams in the NBA.
Yet, that’s exactly what they’ve been. Meanwhile, the Wolves could still look to balance their roster. This team could use some depth in their backcourt. Could they acquire Malcolm Brogdon of the Portland Trail Blazers?
NBA Trade Proposal
Portland Trail Blazers Receive: F/C Naz Reid, G Shake Milton, F Leonard Miller, 2025 Second-Round Pick (MEM or WAS via MIN), 2029 Second-Round Pick (MIN)
Minnesota Timberwolves Receive: G Malcolm Brogdon
We set our expectations in the preseason. We still need to see the games play out. As the old saying goes, the games are played on the court.
It was fair to have low expectations of the Timberwolves. They’d sent the Utah Jazz a fortune to receive Rudy Gobert in the previous offseason. Last year, it didn’t look like he could co-exist with Karl-Anthony Towns. Towns struggled to guard the perimeter. Now, the Wolves have the best defense in the NBA.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Malcolm Brogdon, Portland Trail Blazers, Minnesota Timberwolves Updates
On the other hand, we were right to have low expectations of Portland this year. Unlike the Timberwolves, they’re rebuilding. The Blazers have been about as bad as one would expect. Should they make this deal?
Why The Portland Trail Blazers Do The Deal
Would the Blazers be better if Robert Williams III hadn’t gotten hurt? We’re not sure. With that said, we could have expected his injury. Williams III gets hurt on an almost annual basis.
That’s part of why the Blazers do this deal. Reid could be an invaluable rotation piece for them moving forward. If they trade Williams III, he’ll be their replacement. Adding a young combo big who spaces the floor would be a sensible decision for the Blazers.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Malcolm Brogdon, Portland Trail Blazers, Minnesota Timberwolves Updates
Yet, taking a flyer on Miller’s immense potential may be even smarter. If Portland wants more draft capital, they’ll decline this deal. On the other hand, if they’d prefer to pick up two young rotation pieces that fit with their core, they should make this trade. Should the Timberwolves?
Why The Minnesota Timberwolves Do The Deal
The fit between Gobert and Towns wasn’t immediately clear. Now, it’s working. Meanwhile, it’s always felt a bit odd for the Wolves to keep Reid when they already start a pair of big men.
This deal helps balance the roster. Granted, Mike Conley is playing quality basketball in 2023-24. He’s still aging. Adding Brogdon would give the Wolves a pair of guards who can handle the ball and space the floor.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Malcolm Brogdon, Portland Trail Blazers, Minnesota Timberwolves Updates
Brogdon would be an upgrade. Given their age gap, he’s a more productive player than Conley. This deal could push the Wolves into legitimate contender territory. After all, they’re already the NBA’s Cinderella story of the season.
