Why the Minnesota Timberwolves need to trade for Kyrie Irving

Minnesota still has the assets to pull the deal off

Minnesota got rid of a big chunk of their young talent when they executed the deal with the Chicago Bulls for Jimmy Butler. Even so, Thibodeau still has enough to make this trade happen.

The T-Wolves own first round pick falls to the Atlanta Hawks the moment it drops out of the lottery, which seems likely next year.

But when they traded Ricky Rubio to the Utah Jazz they received a lottery-protected pick that can be included in any deal. The effects of the Hawks deal end as soon as the pick is conveyed, so Minnesota will likely have their own first round pick from 2019 onward.

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Since Minnesota figures to be a winning team moving forward, their picks diminish a bit in value. But first round round picks are still the highest form of NBA currency. If you are willing to give up more than one first rounder, you can negotiate for almost anything in the league.

For any Irving trade to work financially, Minnesota would have to include multiple players in the deal. Younger players like Gourgi Dieng and Tyus Jones would certainly help bolster a weak Cleveland bench. Dealing Irving out of the Eastern Conference will most likely be a top priority for the Cavs, but they won’t do a deal if the talent gap is too wide.

With Teague not being an option until mid-December (since he was recently signed), the easiest and most realistic route for the T-Wolves to get Irving would be a sign-and-trade sending Andrew Wiggins back to the team that drafted him.

The absence of Wiggins would place more responsibility into the hands of the recently signed Jamal Crawford. While Minnesota’s veteran core can certainly pick up the scoring slack if Wiggins was moved, the main reason for executing the deal is the immense flexibility that would come from having two All-Star caliber point guards.