NBA Offseason 2020: 5 blockbuster James Harden trades

5. Minnesota Timberwolves

Any team built around two lackluster defenders like Karl-Anthony Towns and James Harden would desperately need to add some help on that end of the floor, but just imagine trying to stop Harden-KAT pick-and-roll actions. Or trying to stop either one of them individually with the other lurking about in the half-court. It’d be murder.

The Minnesota Timberwolves are reportedly leaning toward selecting Anthony Edwards with the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s draft, but that could easily just be a smokescreen to increase another team’s interest in trading for the pick. The truth is, the first overall pick doesn’t hold as much value when it’s a weaker class like this one, and although D’Angelo Russell and Towns are good buddies, both he and the No. 1 selection would be fully expendable if a player like Harden were to be interested in playing for Minnesota.

There’s been no indication that’s the case, as the Nets and Philadelphia 76ers are reportedly at the top of his wish list, but Houston also has to think about its future. An offer of an All-Star like Russell, two young wing prospects with room to grow like Josh Okogie and Jarrett Culver and the No. 1 pick would be a fairly impressive return.