Minnesota Timberwolves: Evaluating Robert Covington trade partners, mock trades
2. Houston Rockets
Houston sits fifth in the Western Conference playoff hunt and is locked into competing after acquiring Russell Westbrook, dealing Chris Paul for him, before the season. The Rockets (31-18) are one game from either spot ahead or behind them. Sending multiple picks to the Timberwolves is attainable as a last-ditch effort to compete with the top of the West.
Covington gives the Rockets a bigger forward, standing 6’9″ with a 7’2″ wingspan. He also fits the heavy 3-point model that the Rockets like to play and can run in transition.
Covington trade would help Rockets a ton. light. Related Story
The Rockets likely become a factor only if they move Clint Capela first, and they’ve shown a willingness in doing so. The Boston Celtics have significant interest in Capela and have a plethora of picks to offer up.
Boston could give up Enes Kanter, Romeo Langford and Grant Williams with its 2020 first-round pick for Capela. That pick gives the Rockets a second pick to obtain a player with team control like Covington.
Houston could offer Nene Hilario and Ben McLemore, whose deals will expire ahead of the talented 2021 class, along with Danuel House, Houston’s 2020 first and Boston’s 2020 first. To keep keep the roster at 15, the Wolves would have to send one of Jaylen Nowell, Naz Reid, Keita Bates-Diop or Jordan Bell.
This deal doesn’t provide immediate cap relief for the Wolves, but it does line up nicely for the 2021 free agent class. They’d potentially free up $22.5 million in cap relief. With most of their money tied up in Towns and Andrew Wiggins for the foreseeable future, that will be valuable to fill out the roster around guys on rookie contracts.