NBA Trades: 7 Karl-Anthony Towns deals the Timberwolves must consider

NBA Trades: The Portland Trail Blazers go all-in for Towns.

With Portland in the unenviable position of having to choose between building around their superstar Damian Lillard or trading him and tearing it down, Towns becoming available gives them an opportunity. The trade almost writes itself: Anfernee Simons, Shaedon Sharpe, and the 3rd pick in this year’s draft for Towns, with both franchises benefiting from the deal.

The Timberwolves could draft Scoot Henderson, who would give them a potential star to pair with their rising star, Edwards while being cost-controlled for four seasons. That means that his next contract would only kick in after Gobert’s ugly deal ends. In addition to the third pick, Simons is a sharpshooting guard who is coming off a career season and has three years remaining on an affordable contract.

Sharpe also showed a lot of promise as a high-leaping wing who is still on his rookie deal after being taken 7th overall in 2022. For Portland, they’d get an elusive co-star to pair with Lillard. Trading for him comes with the added benefit of giving the Blazers more time before having to worry about Lillard asking out.

At nearly 34, landing Towns could ensure that he retires as a Blazer and give their team a player that they could possibly build around post-Lilard. Although a trade with the Blazers wouldn’t net the Timberwolves an established star, it gives them plenty of flexibility and the possibility of drafting one.