NBA Trade Rumors: Minnesota Timberwolves Aren’t Convinced They’ll Find a Trade
By Josh Hill
As we approach the NBA trade deadline, teams are trying to find a partner to make a swap with and the Minnesota Timberwolves have proven to be one of the more active front offices in the last 48 hours. But while the team has been on the phone with numerous teams, general manager David Kahn isn’t convinced that he’ll be able to find a trade partner before tomorrow’s deadline.
The Wolves are offering draft picks and Brandon Roy in possible trades but all offers have been rejected at this point. The biggest potential trade the Wolves have been involved in at this point was with the Denver Nuggets. The Wolves have been eyeing Timofey Mozgov and offered Brandon Roy in a package but the Nuggets rejected the offer as Roy’s knee scared them off.
Roy isn’t the only player the Wolves have made available as the team is shopping guards J.J. Barea and Luke Ridnour as well as forward Derrick Williams. Minnesota has reportedly ben interested in Orlando Magic guard J.J. Redick but the Magic are requesting too much in return for him and a trade seems unlikely at this point. Orlando is asking for a first round pick and Derrick Williams in exchange for Redick and the Wolves are uncomfortable with giving up that much for a guy that could end up being just a half-season rental.
O.J. May is on the Wolves radar but the Mavericks have rejected ever offer the Wolves have thrown at them. Andrei Kirilenko is a guy the Wolves have been on the phone constantly with other teams about, but Minnesota will only move him for an offer that blows them away. The hope is that Kirilenko picks up his player option for next season and by not trading him the Wolves are showing they’re confident he will.
A lot can change in the next 24 hours but as it stands now the Wolves have come close to making trades but likely won’t be able to make one unless they’re willing to part ways with Kirilenko or give up some assets to land Courtney Lee, who is a guy they’ve showed interest in this past summer and continue to show an interest in now ahead of the deadline.