Minnesota Timberwolves: Buy or sell with 2019 free agents

DALLAS, TX - OCTOBER 20: Tyus Jones #1 of the Minnesota Timberwolves at American Airlines Center on October 20, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. 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 Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

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Taj Gibson

Taj Gibson, part of the Chicago Bulls triumvirate that came to Minnesota between 2017 and 2018, has been a solid part of this Wolves lineup for the last two years. In those years, he’s averaged 11.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 0.7 blocks, 0.8 steals and 1.2 assists per game.

Along with that, he’s been a consistent scoring, shooting 57.2 percent from the field. He’s also improved his 3-point shot tremendously, going from 20 percent in 2017-18 to 32.4 percent in 2018-19.

Another big reason that the Wolves should keep Gibson is that he’s played really well alongside Karl-Anthony Towns. The two of them have brought the Timberwolves the frontcourt they have been looking for since about 2015.

He also just seems to be universally beloved by Timberwolves fans. Negative opinions on the forward are hard to find and everyone from the fans to the front office to his teammates seem to love him. Getting rid of someone like that could really hurt a team’s chemistry.

All these factors add up and there’s one more to consider. There aren’t many good replacements for him at the forward position. Trevor Ariza is good, but aging, Harrison Barnes isn’t as good on the defensive end and Pau Gasol would be too expensive for the Wolves.

With all of that, the best option for the Wolves is to just re-sign Gibson, and let him help Towns in his growth.

Verdict: Buy

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