Grade The Trade: Bucks add 2 former All-Stars in deal with Timberwolves
By Dalton Sell
The Minnesota Timberwolves’ POV on this deal with the Milwaukee Bucks
Once he earns $36 million for the 2023-24 season, Karl-Anthony Towns’ next contract, worth an astounding $222 million over four years, will kick in with the Minnesota Timberwolves. After the Towns-Gobert pairing didn’t work last season, the team could look to move one. Towns has more value than Gobert and could fetch a larger return if they decide to ultimately go that direction.
This deal would see the Timberwolves sacrifice star power for a more well-balanced amount of all-around depth. However, even then, Jrue Holiday was an All-Star and All-Defensive honoree in 2022-23. He’s still got plenty of juice left in the tank and would be an upgrade over Mike Conley. He would take tough defensive matchups from Anthony Edwards to let him focus on offense.
Elsewhere, the Wolves would get a nice cache of role players. Bobby Portis just finished as one of the top three players in the Sixth Man of the Year running and could certainly help. Grayson Allen has his faults, but he’s still an excellent perimeter shooter, which would be useful around Gobert. MarJon Beauchamp is young, but he’s got plenty of untapped potential waiting to be unearthed.
The Timberwolves would undoubtedly have an intriguing roster after this deal. Anthony Edwards would unquestionably be the lead dog, and as he continues his ascension to stardom, he’d have a great supporting cast full of impactful players. Moving Towns could also help get the best out of Gobert, as it would make him the clear-cut center moving forward.