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Timberwolves: Playing something or nothing with MIN trade rumors

By Ethan Becker

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - JANUARY 10: Ricky Rubio #9 and D'Angelo Russell #0 of the Minnesota Timberwolves speak during a timeout in the fourth quarter of the game against the San Antonio Spurs at Target Center on January 10, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Spurs 96-88. 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 Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - JANUARY 10: Ricky Rubio #9 and D'Angelo Russell #0 of the Minnesota Timberwolves speak during a timeout in the fourth quarter of the game against the San Antonio Spurs at Target Center on January 10, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Spurs 96-88. 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 Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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Minnesota Timberwolves
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The Timberwolves are interested in Ben Simmons

I’m covering this one first because I’ve talked a lot about this trade in recent weeks, but it’s worth ignoring fit or personal taste for a moment and just actually considering whether or not it could actually happen. Here’s what we know.

We know that the Philadelphia 76ers are shopping Simmons (Athletic paywall), and that they will be looking for an, “All-Star level talent” in return for him. On Minnesota, that means D’Angelo Russell or Karl-Anthony Towns, who have been in one and two All-Star games respectively. So, essentially, that’s what Minnesota has to offer.

It’s also worth taking a look at who else is offering. According to a report from Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report, those other suitors are the Cavs, the Indiana Pacers, the Kings, and the Toronto Raptors. However, that report also points out one problem: “…there has not been an All-Star-caliber player made available that Morey and his staff have had strong interest in moving Simmons for, sources said.”

Along with those four teams listed above, there was one more team mentioned in that story: the Portland Trailblazers. According to one source, they believe that, “…Daryl [Morey] is just waiting for the Dame situation to explode.” This source, who is called a team official, points out the idea that the Sixers General Manager Daryl Morey seems to have high hopes that a trade for Damian Lillard can be made this offseason. If there’s any hope of that, there’s no way that Philadelphia is moving their top asset.

Among all these other factors is the idea that Philadelphia wouldn’t trade Simmons in an attempt to start a franchise rebuild, but rather, for a chance to win a championship before their All-Star Center Joel Embiid starts looking for greener pastures. While Minnesota does have some nice assets, it’s unclear whether or not they have enough to entice the Sixers to pull the trigger on a risky move, when a better trade could be right around the corner.

Simmons to the Timberwolves: Nothing

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