NBA free agency: One move every team should avoid
By John Buhler
Minnesota Timberwolves: Sign SF Luol Deng.
The Minnesota Timberwolves are poised to have arguably their most exciting season since 2003-04 when Kevin Garnett was in his prime. The Timberwolves have one of the most dynamic young corps in the game with Karl-Anthony Towns, Andrew Wiggins, Zach LaVine and now the No. 5 overall pick, former Providence Friars point guard Kris Dunn.
With former Chicago Bulls defensive mastermind head coach Tom Thibodeau running the ship in Minneapolis, it’s full steam ahead for this Timberwolves team with a blinding bright future. Since the Timberwolves probably shouldn’t be overly active in free agency, as only veteran wing Tayshaun Prince is hitting the market, they’ll probably just stick with the team they have now entering training camp.
However, should Prince either retire or sign elsewhere in 2016 NBA free agency, one player that Thibodeau should avoid replacing Prince with is former Bulls small forward Luol Deng, last with the Miami Heat.
Deng was a great player for Thibodeau in Chicago years ago, but his body is starting to rapidly breakdown after years of intense defensive commitment in Thibodeau’s scheme with the Bulls. Deng might be reluctant to embrace a non-starting role with the Timberwolves, but he would have to with Wiggins clearly entrenched at No. 3.
While Deng could demonstrate what exactly Thibodeau demands of his players on the defensive end, his presence might hinder Wiggins and LaVine’s development the most. They’re ready to play big minutes and Deng’s tank is close to empty.
Next: New Orleans Pelicans.