A few years ago, the belief was that the current Minnesota Timberwolves core would eventually be busted as they are expected to fall short season by season.
Anthony Edwards will probably be the only one left and become the new franchise player. Karl Anthony Towns will be shipped for the inability to carry a team, while Rudy Gobert is a liability with his high salary.
None of that storyline holds today. They are currently at the top of the Western Conference standings with a 24-8 record, the second-best team in the league next to the more established and perennial contenders Boston Celtics.
Nobody expected them to be at the level they are now. Some people probably do not put them on the top-tier of title contenders hierarchy.
There is still a long way to go, and the Wolves' season can either get better or worse. There is room for improvement, and that room points to the trades machine.
3 trades Minnesota Timberwolves can make to become an NBA title contender:
1. Back-up point guard
Jordan McLaughlin and Shake Milton are good regular-season players at best, but when the playoffs come, when the quality of the game elevates, they might not see more minutes. This means Mike Conley will have to play longer, which might be a problem since he is already 36 years old.
The Wolves should go for a guard who can play both ends of the floor and join Edwards' running game. Cole Anthony is a good target, as the Orlando Magic currently has a surplus of guards.
They can also pursue Bones Hyland, who has been unhappy with the Los Angeles Clippers since the arrival of James Harden.
2. Floor spacer and defender
Dorian Finney-Smith is rumored to be on the move, and the Wolves can sweep in for his services.
The team could use a floor spacer who also plays defense simultaneously. Minnesota has the highest-rated defense in the league right now, allowing just 107.4 points per 100 possessions.
Finney-Smith can upgrade either as a starter or as a sixth man. He attempts six three-point shots per game and averages around 40 percent.
The defense the 30-year-old small forward can provide will lessen the load Edwards is taking each night. He will also be a great supporting cast for Gobert on the front court.
3. Three-point shooters
Davis Bertans and Evan Fournier are both available for trade, and they might be the Wolves' answer to their lagging three-point shooting.
They are currently 21st in 3 points made per game with 12.1 and 25th in three-point attempts per game.
Although it is not much of a problem since the offense is designed mainly for Edwards, Towns, and Gobert, they could use spot-up shooters to free up those three when they get doubled, tripled team.
Bertans, buried in the bench of the Oklahoma City Thunder because of the sensational run by rookie Chet Holmgren, has always been efficient when given the minutes.
Fournier will have no problem leaving the New York Knicks, as he hasn't seen many minutes for almost two seasons now. He will have no problem reuniting with France teammate Gobert.
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