Every NBA team has to operate within the salary cap. Sometimes, that can make life difficult. A team may have to trade a player even though they’re having a lot of success with them.
Look at the Minnesota Timberwolves. They’re having a sensational season. Sure, Karl-Anthony Towns has been the subject of trade rumors for years. Now that the Wolves are atop the Western Conference, trading him would be inconceivable – right?
We’re not sure. Rumors are suggesting that the Timberwolves could look to move Towns this summer. If they make a deep playoff run, they’re likely to hang onto him. Otherwise, the Wolves could seek some cap relief. Could they send Towns to the Oklahoma City Thunder?
NBA Trade Proposal
Minnesota Timberwolves Receive: G/F Luguentz Dort, G/F Josh Giddey, F Kenrich Williams, 2025 First-Round Pick (Top 6 Protected – PHI via OKC), 2027 First-Round Pick (Top 5 Protected – DEN via OKC)
Oklahoma City Thunder Receive: F/C Karl-Anthony Towns
It’s a fine line to walk. Teams don’t want to be operating with the cap in mind. Ideally, teams are acquiring as much talent as they can. The goal is to win as much as possible.
Yet, the cap is necessary. It’s a safeguard to protect small market teams. If there was no cap, teams like the Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks would have too significant of an advantage. They could simply sign all the star players that wanted to play for them.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder Updates
Still, here’s the cap, forcing the smaller marker Timberwolves into a difficult position. Meanwhile, the Thunder may have to make some cap-based considerations soon as well. Should they trade for Towns now?
Why The Oklahoma City Thunder Do The Deal
If you’re a Thunder fan, you may have reservations. This team is trying to establish a defensive identity. Why are they acquiring a sieve-like Towns?
Here’s the rub: Towns isn’t a sieve anymore. The Timberwolves have had the best defense in the NBA this year. Sure, Rudy Gobert is the anchor. Towns has still made significant improvements on that end of the floor.
Meanwhile, he’s the same player that he’s always been on the offensive end. Towns is one of the most talented scoring bigs in the NBA. He’d make the Thunder arguably the most talented team in the league.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder Updates
Finally, the Thunder still have a decent window before Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams are owed their extensions. Should the Wolves send them a big contract?
Why The Minnesota Timberwolves Do The Deal
Towns is fantastic. He’s still not the most important player on this team – that would be Anthony Edwards. Is Towns the second most important player on this team?
It’s debatable. Gobert’s ability to anchor the defense has crystallized this team’s identity in 2023-24. Now here’s the question – are the Timberwolves paying Towns too much if he’s their third most important player?
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder Updates
That’s also debatable. Here’s a fact – Edwards’ massive extension is about to kick in. The Wolves need to balance their books. Flipping Towns for two rotation players, a pair of firsts and a flyer on Giddey helps them do that – even if it’s difficult.
