2016 NBA Free Agency: 1 move every team needs to make to be contenders

Minnesota Timberwolves

The Minnesota Timberwolves have perhaps the best group of players under 25 in the league. Karl Towns and Andrew Wiggins are back-back first overall picks turned rookies of the year, Zach LaVine has promise as a combo guard, and they have player-coach Kevin Garnett developing them right on the court.

For now, most the roles that the Timberwolves need are filled. Nikola Pekovic is a serviceable center to play alongside Towns for now. And Ricky Rubio is one of the best ball distributors in the league. His turnover rate is low, he is a great defender and his shot, while average, hasn’t hurt the team significantly.

With the 5th pick, the Timberwolves selected Kris Dunn, a point guard that has similar distributing/playmaking ability but with limited shooting range, and as a rookie he will likely be more prone to turnovers. There were also rumors that Dunn could be a part of a package to trade with the Bulls for Jimmy Butler. It is an all right pick but has a bit too much similarity with Rubio and doesn’t help give the team any outside shooting.

That’s why the Timberwolves should try and trade for D’Angel Russell. DAR would be the perfect piece to build alongside Wiggins and Towns, he has playmaking ability and is a decent three-point shooting. After the TMZ leak and conflict with Nick Young, Russell is the odd man out in LA. A fresh start in Minnesota may be just what he needs, and an exchange for a few players like Dunn, Rubio, or Dieng could punch the ticket.

Next: Charlotte Hornets