5 Karl-Anthony Towns trades the Timberwolves must consider
By Cal Durrett
Following their surprise trip to the Western Conference Finals, the Minnesota Timberwolves will have some tough decisions to make. They are on pace to have the highest payroll in the NBA for the 2024–25 season despite being in a small market, something that is usually reserved for big-market teams like the Golden State Warriors.
Although the Wolves are seemingly open to paying the luxury tax, that might not be possible with Anthony Edwards, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Rudy Gobert all set to make at least $30 million next season.
Towns alone will make $49 million, despite a lackluster Western Conference Finals performance. Although he is their second-best player, he is arguably their third-most important player, with Gobert being responsible for improving their defense.
They also have an obvious candidate to replace Towns with 2023–24 Sixth Man of the Year winner Naz Reed. Therefore, the Wolves would be wise to at least consider their options with Towns, including potentially moving him. If that were to happen, then the Wolves may try to turn him into two or even three rotation players that are also cheaper. Based on that, here are five trades they must consider for Towns.