NBA Trades: 7 Karl-Anthony Towns deals the Timberwolves must consider
By Cal Durrett
NBA Trades: The Oklahoma City Thunder cash in their assets to land Towns.
After hoarding an unprecedented number of draft picks, the Oklahoma City Thunder could finally begin to cash them in this summer. The Thunder overachieved this season thanks to the stellar play of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who helped them make the play-in tournament after many expected them to be terrible.
Now, they could look to get serious about winning by pairing Towns with Gilgeous-Alexander. The Wolves would likely require two of Josh Giddey, Chet Holmgren, and Jalen Williams, as well as a couple of those first-round picks back in a theoretical trade. Based on that, perhaps Holmgren, Williams, and two firsts of the Wolves’ choosing might be enough to get them to offload Towns.
Not having Holmgren play a single game for the Thunder would be disappointing, but it would be worth it for them to put Towns with Gilgeous-Alexander. On the other hand, Minnesota would get the former number 2 overall pick as well as Williams, who exceeded expectations as a rookie.
Factor in that Minnesota would save $21 million next season and much more going forward with Holmgren and Williams being on rookie-scale deals for the next three years, and the deal may be difficult for them to turn down.