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NBA Free Agency 2018: 5 offseason targets for the Minnesota Timberwolves

By Jerry Christodoulatos

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - APRIL 11: Jimmy Butler #23 and Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves celebrate defeating the Denver Nuggets after the game on April 11, 2018 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Nuggets 112-106. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - APRIL 11: Jimmy Butler #23 and Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves celebrate defeating the Denver Nuggets after the game on April 11, 2018 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Nuggets 112-106. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Jordan Johnson/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Jordan Johnson/NBAE via Getty Images) /

1. Aaron Gordon

Now we’re getting wild. The Timberwolves obviously don’t have the cap space to sign Aaron Gordon to an offer sheet, so they would have to acquire him via sign-and-trade. Andrew Wiggins for Aaron Gordon anyone? The negotiation of that trade would be fascinating. While Gordon’s stock has risen after a nice 2018 campaign, Wiggins has probably held the title of “League’s Most Polarizing Player” for a few years now. And with an enormous extension taking effect in July, Wiggins’ trade value is probably lower than it’s ever been. Would Minnesota have to include a pick to pull that swap off? Would the Orlando even be interested in Wiggins and a protected 2019 or 2020 first round pick?

Andrew Wiggins is only 23. Giving up on a guy that young with some star potential would be a tough decision. But if you can get a guy like Gordon in return you pull the trigger. Gordon is simply a better fit for this team on both sides of the ball.

Though his shooting from deep trailed off after an absolutely scorching start to the year, Gordon definitely improved as a shooter last season. He attempted six 3-pointers per game and shot 33 percent on those looks. That’s below the league average, but blew away his previous season mark from deep. He’s clearly shown the potential to develop into a floor spacer from the 4 spot. He’s willing to take that shot, which matters when defenses draw up their game plans.  On the other end of the floor, Gordon could fit well into a switching scheme alongside Towns. He’s not a stopper and he’s not always consistent, but the former Arizona man is a solid defender. Given his crazy level of athleticism, it’s reasonable to expect some progression on defense from Gordon as well.

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Ultimately, replacing Wiggins with Gordon would solve many of the issues making the Timberwolves so frustrating at times. The awkward fit between Butler and Wiggins would no longer be a problem and Gordon, who barely played when he first came into the NBA, would probably be more willing to view himself as a clear third option.

The chances this kind of blockbuster deal actually happens, even if both sides are interested, are slim at best though. The salary cap gymnastics Minnesota and Orlando would have to go through to pull this trade off are somewhat mind numbing. Gordon’s status as a restricted free agent is the biggest complicating factor, because teams cannot sign-and-trade restricted free agents that sign an offer sheet with another team. So if he accepted an offer sheet from the Atlanta Hawks for example, a potential deal between the Wolves and Magic would become illegal. Furthermore, the team receiving the RFA cannot have used the taxpayer-MLE. So the Wolves would be reduced to building the rest of the roster with league minimum players.

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