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As the Trade Deadline approaches, the Minnesota Timberwolves are expected to be in the market
for more efficient shooting from the outside and potentially a perimeter defender as they
continue their implausible playoff push.
Minnesota has exceeded expectations so far this season as they sit with a record of 27-25 and are currently the seventh seed in the Western Conference. First year general manager Sachin Gupta has explored multiple trade targets such as Ben Simmons, Harrison Barnes, Myles Turner and Jerami Grant over the recent months.
Minnesota has tremendous depth compared to most of the league, but they lack a consistent
outside shooter that can defend the perimeter consistently.
A new potential trade target was rumored Friday morning and according to reports, both the
Timberwolves and Celtics have had dialogue regarding veteran point guard Marcus Smart.
The two teams started discussing a potential trade after Boston approached Minnesota earlier in
the week with an offer of Jason Richardson and either Romeo Langford or Aaron Nesmith for
Malik Beasley.
Minnesota didn’t seem to have too much interest in anyone other than Marcus Smart and instead
decided to counter Boston with a Smart for Beasley swap. Boston general manager Brad Stevens clearly wouldn’t have much interest in a straight up swap and Minnesota would need to add more to the deal.
Smart has proven to be one of the most lethal 3-And-D players in the league over the recent
seasons and a future first round pick will need to be involved in any trade discussion.
Local Minnesota reporter Darren Wolfson from Five EyeWitness News reported on the SKOR
North podcast that “Minnesota is definitely trying to trade for Marcus Smart but unless they
include a first-round pick or Jaden McDaniels in addition to Malik Beasley, (a deal) most likely
doesn’t get done.”
Sachin Gupta most likely wouldn’t feel too comfortable with trading away Jaden McDaniels who
has often been compared in size and potential to Nets star Kevin Durant. Minnesota will explore
all options by next Thursday’s Trade Deadline but trading for Marcus Smart seems like the most
logical path towards a deep playoff run.
If Minnesota finds a way to pull off a Marcus Smart deal, they could become quite dangerous
come playoff time. Smart is currently averaging on a per game basis 11.5 points, 3.9 rebounds
and 5.5 assists to go along with an impressive defensive rating of 106.2 which ranks 13th in the
NBA.
The Timberwolves would arguably have one of the most unique defensive units in the league and
teaming up Marcus Smart to go along with Patrick Beverley in the back court to close out games
would be intriguing.
As of now, this is just a rumor but if Minnesota doesn’t land a big fish like Ben Simmons or
Myles Turner by the Trade Deadline, Marcus Smart seems like the fallback plan for the Gupta
and the Timberwolves
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