Everybody loves a big NBA trade. Unless you don’t like the return that your favorite team got, of course, in that event, you may not like a big NBA trade.
Some Minnesota Timberwolves fans didn’t love their Rudy Gobert trade. To be sure, the Wolves gave up a lot to land Gobert. They now occupy the top spot in the Western Conference standings. The Wolves may be happy with their move at this point.
A couple of seasons ago, the Sacramento Kings made a huge trade. They sent Tyrese Haliburton to the Indiana Pacers in exchange for Domantas Sabonis. Could they continue building their roster by acquiring Naz Reid from the Timberwolves this summer?
NBA Trade Proposal
Minnesota Timberwolves Receive: G/F Kevin Huerter, G Davion Mitchell
Sacramento Kings Receive: F/C Naz Reid
Gobert and Sabonis are both big men. That’s where the similarities end. These players are on opposite ends of the spectrum. Gobert is a defensive anchor with limited offensive abilities. Sabonis can orchestrate an offense, but his defensive impact is below average.
Interestingly, they were traded for extremely different returns. The Utah Jazz received a whopping four first-round picks for Gobert. The Pacers didn’t receive any significant draft capital for Sabonis – they got Haliburton.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Naz Reid, Minnesota Timberwolves, Sacramento Kings Updates
The league is full of different types of big men. Reid is an interesting player in his own right. Should the Kings want him?
Why The Sacramento Kings Do The Deal
Reid is a unique defender. He’s not much of a rim protector, but he can survive in space. Reid plays hard, and can thrive in hedge-and-recover schemes.
At the same time, his offense is his selling point. Reid is among the best stretch big men in the NBA. He’s also a capable isolation scorer with a solid face-up game.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Naz Reid, Minnesota Timberwolves, Sacramento Kings Updates
In some respects, he’d be an ideal backup for Sabonis. Reid can play next to him or behind him. Assuming that the Kings retain Malik Monk in free agency, he may serve their needs better than Huerter or Mitchell. Should the Wolves want either of them?
Why The Minnesota Timberwolves Do The Deal
In some respects, Reid is a poor man’s Karl-Anthony Towns. The Timberwolves have too many roster spots committed to quality big men. If they don’t make a deep playoff run this summer, they may want to find some balance.
This deal achieves that. Huerter is a valuable 6’7 guard. He’s having a down year from long-range, but Huerter has typically been a knockdown shooter.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Naz Reid, Minnesota Timberwolves, Sacramento Kings Updates
Meanwhile, Mitchell has remaining upside as well. He’s a strong point-of-attack defender who needs some polish on offense. Learning under Mike Conley could do wonders for his career. Perhaps he’ll be part of another big trade if it doesn’t.
