The Minnesota Timberwolves are potentially on the lookout for a major upgrade to the roster this offseason, which could mean a blockbuster trade is in the works.
If the Wolves are going to make a big trade, they are going to have to part ways with one of their better players on the roster, which could be Jaden McDaniels. Bleacher Report contributor Zach Buckley listed McDaniels as a trade target “nobody is talking about.”
“He is a player virtually any club would covet, since he can contribute to winning
right now but also shows enough flashes to think there could be a lot more in his offensive arsenal by the time he peaks,” Buckley wrote of McDaniels.
“The Wolves would prefer not to lose him, but if they’re serious about getting Edwards more help, they may not have another option. Getting a needle-mover requires giving up something good, and as far as the Timberwolves’ trade chips, McDaniels is clearly as good as it gets.”
The Wolves are in a championship window, but they don’t need to sacrifice their entire future just to hit on the next two years or so. That would be a disservice to all of the work they have put into building this roster since 2020 when the team selected Anthony Edwards with the No. 1 overall pick.
Edwards is still only 24 years old and has likely not even hit his prime yet. In order to compete with the likes of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Victor Wembanyama for many years to come, the Wolves have to surround Edwards with young talent, much like the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs have done.
The Wolves can be aggressive in trades this offseason, but it shouldn’t come at the price of McDaniels or Naz Reid, because that might end up resulting in a step or two back rather than forward.
