The Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves are no strangers when it comes to trade discussions, having completed the significant deal centered around D'Angelo Russell and Andrew Wiggins in 2020.
While both teams, including the front office, look very different from that point over four years ago, they could once again reconvene as trade partners this offseason.
In their search for a second star this offseason, could the Golden State Warriors pull off another huge trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves?
Both franchises are at fascinating points heading into the offseason, much of which surrounds the financial complexities of each. The Warriors are searching for a second star having missed the playoffs this season, yet are balancing the league's highest payroll and have been vocal in their pursuit to get out from under the second-tax apron.
The Timberwolves had a far more successful year, finishing third during the regular season before advancing all the way to the Conference Finals behind rising superstar Anthony Edwards. Their run officially came to an end at the hands of Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks, but they appear primed to be a powerhouse in the conference for years to come.
However, with success comes cost and the Minnesota roster is about to become very expensive from next season. Given the ownership dispute currently ongoing at the franchise, the future is certainly a little murky despite the immense on-court results.
Minnesota have Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns each making in excess of $43 million next season, their rising superstar Anthony Edwards on $35.5 million, two-way forward Jaden McDaniels on $22.6 million, and a third big in Naz Reid on $14 million. Each of those five players are under contract for multiple seasons.
If the Timberwolves wish to balance their books a little moving forward, perhaps the Warriors can help out despite their own wishes to duck under the second-tax apron. Let's have a look at a potential blockbuster trade between the two teams:
Few are doubting Karl-Anthony Towns' offensive skillset, yet the big man's ability to perform in big games continue to come under question throughout an up-and-down playoff campaign. Towns had 25 and 28-point games in his final two appearances against the Mavericks, but it was too little too late after he had been a big reason why they fell in a 3-0 hole to begin with.
The former number one overall pick is about to start a four-year, $221 million contract extension, a deal that stands out above all others should the Timberwolves wish to cut salary moving forward. Towns would be an intriguing target for the Warriors given he could feel the need of a second scorer and more shooting in the front court. Let's have a look at how the deal may materialize:
Would the Timberwolves make this trade?
This is a salary cutting exercise for Minnesota first and foremost, with each of the four incoming players entering the final year of the deal next season. But while opening up future financial flexibility may be the main aim, this is still a more than reasonable package for a player who was heavily criticized in recent weeks.
This is a realistic pathway out from Towns' contract for the Timberwolves while also getting some present and future help to try and retain their standing in the West. This isn't the first time a Towns to Golden State trade has been proposed, with Bleacher Report's Andy Bailey detailing Minnesota's potential motive in an article last month.
"If, however, the Dallas Mavericks win the conference finals in relatively short order, the front office might have to think about some luxury tax relief. The T-Wolves could get that salary relief, picks and some combination of Jonathan Kuminga, Brandin Podziemski and/or Moses Moody from Golden State."
- Andy Bailey
It's unlikely that the Warriors would give up both Jonathan Kuminga and picks, with the Timberwolves potentially coveting the latter more given the young forward is extension eligible. Either way, it's an intriguing package for Minnesota and one that's all dependant on their desire to seek salary relief. Were the Timberwolves happy to proceed, is this a deal the Warriors should be accepting?
Would the Warriors make this trade?
One huge fact in this is that, as a second apron team at present, the Warriors wouldn't be able to make this trade given they can't aggregate salaries. However, they could get under the apron and subsequently be able to make this deal were they to let Klay Thompson walk in free agency.
If Thompson were to depart, perhaps the need for Towns would grow even more given the need to replace his three-point shooting. The self-proclaimed best big man shooter of all-time went just 8-of-34 from beyond the arc in the Conference Finals, but otherwise shot 41.6% from three on 5.3 attempts during the regular season.
While there could well be animosity between the two at times, the on-court fit of Towns and Draymond Green in the front court should theoretically work perfectly given they balance out each other's flaws.
Towns averages 22.9 points for his career -- the kind of offensive output Golden State desire to support Stephen Curry. Perhaps the Warriors would even be optimistic of more growth out of the 28-year-old in a new scenery and with the kind of spacing Curry can provide.
Yet there are also legitimate concerns beyond the contract and the trade package they're giving up. Towns has played 50 games or less in three of the past five seasons, while on the floor his propensity to commit silly fouls along with questionable shot selection is holding the 4x All-Star back from an even higher level.
Summary
Trading four players, or five if you include Thompson's departure in free agency, should net you a bona fide superstar given how much you'd be depleting the depth on the roster. Towns simply hasn't proven to be that player on a consistent basis, which combined with his contract, makes this an incredibly risky deal without the necessary upside that should be required to make it happen.
A Stephen Curry, Brandin Podziemski, Andrew Wiggins, Draymond Green, Karl-Anthony Towns starting lineup would be fascinating, but it's far from one that screams a return to championship contention in the deep Western Conference.
