Each week sports reporters Matthew Lambert and Sam Thiel will face off on a hot topic in Minnesota sports. The world of sports is changing quickly and constantly, but we want to slow it down and take a better look at the juiciest gossip, scandal, rumor or issue that is making headlines this week in Minnesota. Lambert and Thiel will take different sides and battle it out, telling you why they are right.
This week’s topic: Timberwolves trade deadline
Last Thursday, the NBA trade deadline came and went, with the Minnesota Timberwolves not making a significant move. This week, Matthew Lambert and Sam Thiel voice their opinions about what the Wolves should have done. Let’s talk about it… (Recap by Sam Thiel)
Matthew Lambert / Winonan
With the trade deadline in the NBA passed, and no blockbuster moves made, it’s time to take a look at the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Now, they didn’t make any moves at the deadline. The Timberwolves are 1.4 million under the cap and 13.2 million under the tax line. So financially, they are in a solid place.
They could’ve made a move at the deadline, but the only player, in my mind who should’ve been dealt with was the heel of Minnesota: Ricky Rubio.
Rubio has been injury prone and his stats are at an all-time low. Rubio is shooting a career low in field goal percentage and 3-point percentage with 35 and 29 percent, respectively.
So where can the Timberwolves shop an injury prone, inefficient shooting Spaniard? How about the Utah Jazz?
It works out perfectly. The Jazz need a point guard with Dante Exum hurt. Another little trading chip would be adding Kevin Martin. The Jazz are 17th in the league in three’s made and 12th in 3-point percentage.
In return, the Timberwolves get Alec Burks, Trey Burke and Trevor Booker. This will open up more time for Zach LaVine in the Timberwolves starting rotation.
But, unfortunately, the trade deadline has passed. For fans, I suggest you watch this offseason because, Rubio’s days are numbered.
Sam Thiel / Winonan
Another year, another trade deadline and yet another season where the Timberwolves make no significant moves to improve their team. All the more reason to give Minnesota’s trade deadline grade an F.
The two biggest moves they attempted to make were trading point guard Ricky Rubio and shooting guard Kevin Martin. Rubio was in active trade talks in a deal to Milwaukee while Martin was being looked at by the Knicks.
The Timberwolves currently sit 17-37, one of the worst records in the league. So, why didn’t they make a move?
They didn’t make a move because they have a lot of talent in its young core of Karl-Anthony Towns, Andrew Wiggins and Zach LaVine, but need a veteran superstar to help them make it to the playoffs. Their current superstar veteran, Kevin Garnett will retire either within the next few years and the team has nobody to step up in his place.
So what do the Timberwolves need to do?
Although I’m not a fan of tanking (i.e. purposely losing in order to get better draft position), if Minnesota is able to get high draft picks and smartly use them (unlike 2009 with drafting Johnny Flynn instead of reigning MVP and champion Stephen Curry), then with a combination of youth and veteran leadership, the Timberwolves could maybe, one day, make the playoffs.
