Timberwolves: Playing something or nothing with MIN trade rumors

The Minnesota Timberwolves are interested in Danilo Gallinari

The final rumor that Minnesota has found themselves involved in is the report from Dane Moore that the Timberwolves are interested in a trade for Atlanta Hawks forward Danilo Gallinari.

Gallinari is the exact type of player Minnesota wants: he’s a fantastic scorer, shooting 40.6 percent from 3-point range and 43.4 percent from the field last season, at 6’10” he can stretch the floor, and he’s enough of a catch-and-shoot threat that Minnesota could easily incorporate him into their offensive scheme. Of course, there are some downsides. Gallinari, should he be brought into the organization, would be yet another liability on defense, and someone who takes valuable minutes from players who excel at that end of the floor like Jarred Vanderbilt, Jaden McDaniels, and Naz Reid. Finally, Gallinari’s contract would be the fifth-highest in year-on-year earnings and overall value on the team.

Another road block to a potential deal would be the Atlanta Hawks themselves. Who does Minnesota have that would appeal to them? McDaniels and/or Vanderbilt? It’s probably the team’s best option, but with a starting rotation of John Collins and Clint Capela and an estimated $10-16 million to spend in free agency, why wouldn’t Atlanta just go and get a more sure-fire backup prospect? Rubio, Nowell, or Culver? Unlikely with the Hawks current backcourt rotation including Trae Young, Lou Williams, and Bogdan Bogdanovic. Outside of that there’s nobody Minnesota is likely interested in moving for a short-term, mid-tier reward guy like Gallinari. As intriguing as the addition would be, it just doesn’t seem likely.

The Minnesota Timberwolves interested in trading for Danilo Gallinari: Nothing