NBA: 5 teams who have improved their stock over the summer
1. Minnesota Timberwolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves have had one of the biggest roster overturns in the NBA this summer. They traded two starters from last year’s team and may potentially demote another starter to the bench.
The fun for Minnesota began when they waived Nikola Pekovic. Even though this was a difficult time for Timberwolves’ fans, it was a much-needed move in order to create the necessary cap space for the ensuing acquisitions.
Tom Thibodeau, the second-year president of basketball operations and head coach, then made his first trade for the organization. He shipped Kris Dunn, Zach LaVine and the seventh overall pick to the Chicago Bulls for Jimmy Butler and the 16th overall pick.
More from Hoops Habit
- 7 Players the Miami Heat might replace Herro with by the trade deadline
- Meet Cooper Flagg: The best American prospect since LeBron James
- Are the Miami Heat laying the groundwork for their next super team?
- Sophomore Jump: 5 second-year NBA players bound to breakout
- NBA Trades: The Lakers bolster their frontcourt in this deal with the Pacers
This finally completed the long-awaited rumor of Butler rejoining his coach in Minnesota. It also gave the Timberwolves a legitimate shot at the playoffs for the first time since 2004.
Minnesota’s offseason would have been great if it ended there. However, they were only just getting started. Thibodeau traded Ricky Rubio to the Utah Jazz for the Thunder’s lottery-protected 2018 first-rounder.
In order to supplement the hole at point guard, Thibs brought in Jeff Teague from the free agency market. He also signed Taj Gibson to compete with Gorgui Dieng at the power forward position.
Even though both of those guys received hefty contracts, especially Gibson, they are short two-year deals which allow the Timberwolves to reload and reexamine in a couple of seasons.
Finally, the Timberwolves signed veteran Jamal Crawford to provide depth at the wing position. This is a huge move considering Minnesota only has three players on their roster who can play shooting guard or small forward.
With only 11 players on their roster, Minnesota isn’t done making moves.
Next: 2017 NBA free agency tracker - Grades for every deal so far
Barring a trade, they will only be able to use the veteran minimum to sign players. However, we must stay tuned because Thibs has proven he will do whatever it takes to win next year.