The Minnesota Timberwolves have struggled to win games in the playoffs. Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett lost to Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers in 2004. This past season, the Timberwolves lost a not-very-competitive series to the Dallas Mavericks. What both of these teams lacked was just one more player to get the job done. Adding a star like Brandon Ingram to a team that has lacked wing play in this past season, could make the Wolves the title favorites.
Current Timberwolves Starters
PG Mike Conely
SG Anthony Edwards
SF Jaden McDaniels
PF Karl Anthony-Towns
C Rudy Gobert
The Wolves don’t have a bad NBA Roster by any means. Mike Conely, the 17-year veteran, is coming off a good season being the starting Point Guard on a young team. Conley averaged 11.4 points and almost six assists last season. Conley has stepped in as the veteran presence and mentor for the younger guys in Minnesota ever since he joined them midway through the 2022 season.
There isn’t much more to say about Anthony Edwards other than the fact that he is going to be the face of the league in due time. The 23-year-old averaged 25.9 points last season along with 5.4 rebounds and 5.1 assists. Edwards will be the guy in Minnesota for a very long time.
Jaden McDaniels is a great player; however, his inconsistency could be the reason the Wolves almost were swept in the Western Conference Finals last season. If he can be a solid 12 to 15-point scorer instead of 25 or 2, he would be great.
The greatest big-man shooter ever was and is still a franchise guy for the Timberwolves. The 1st overall pick in the 2015 draft, KAT has solidified himself as one of the best big men in the NBA. The 62-point game last season says a lot about him, as he can still play at a high level. This was Towns second season playing the power forward position but was playing center his entire career before Gobert.
One of the most hated players in the NBA in recent memory, Rudy Gobert is currently the starting center for the Wolves. The four-time Defensive Player of the Year is heading into his 11th season and has seen some regression recently as he didn’t play a significant amount in the Olympics, playing behind Victor Wembanyama.
The Trade to Bring Minnesota to its First Finals Appearance
As we mentioned before, the Timberwolves need one addition to make this team great. That guy is Brandon Ingram. The 6 ‘8 forward out of Duke can play all over the court, whether that’s in the post, or a spot-up shooter in the corner. With a consistent wing, the Timberwolves have a shot next season.
When it comes to the Pelicans, their team lacks Center play. As of August 21st, their starting center is Yves Missi, a rookie out of Baylor. With the addition of a center like Rudy Gobert, the Pelicans also could have a chance to make some noise in the West, as they have stars like Zion Williamson and one of the best benches in the NBA.
The Trade
Timberwolves Receive: Brandon Ingram and Daniel Theis
Pelicans Receive: Rudy Gobert, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and 2028 1st Round Pick
The Timberwolves now have their forward to bring them to the championship. Ingram will consistently be a 20-point scorer a night and be a second option in an Anthony Edwards-led team. What we have learned from recent memory, the NBA champions usually have three players who can score at will. Karl Anthony-Towns can now go back to the center position as well. The Wolves also have reigning Sixth Man of the Year Naz Reid coming off the bench. By trading Rudy Gobert, the Wolves wouldn’t have to worry about signing him to a 46.6 Million dollar player option to a 32-year-old Center on a possible decline.
Potential Starting Lineup After TradeÂ
PG Mike Conely
SG Anthony Edwards
SF Jaden McDaniels
PF Brandon Ingram
C Karl-Anthony Towns
The New Orleans Pelicans will now have their starting Center Rudy Gobert take charge in the front court to make that possibly the number one defense in all of basketball. With a strong lineup in new point guard Dejounte Murray and superstar Zion Williamson, we could see a surprise team come out of the west.
Potential Starting lineup after the Trade
PG Dejounte Murray
SG CJ McCollum
SF Herb Jones
PF Zion Williamson
C Rudy Gobert