After making a big splash earlier in the season by sending Jimmy Butler to Philadelphia, the Timberwolves remain active on the trade market, according to Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic, who reports that GM Scott Layden is “canvassing the league for available deals.” Darren Wolfson of 5 Eyewitness News relays a similar sentiment, tweeting that Layden has been “much more communicative” than in past years.
According to Wolfson, players on expiring contracts are available, as are Jeff Teague and Gorgui Dieng. However, as of Tuesday, there was “zero sense” that anything was close to getting done. Meanwhile, sources tell Krawczynski that multiple teams checked in last month on Andrew Wiggins to see if the Timberwolves might be willing to move him for “pennies on the dollar.” Those inquires qualified more as due diligence though, and didn’t really go anywhere, per Krawczynski.
Here are several more trade rumors from around the NBA:
- The Pelicans still have yet to respond to the Lakers‘ most recent trade offer for Anthony Davis, reports ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (via Twitter). L.A. reportedly pulled out of talks on Tuesday after making a big offer on Monday night, though it appears the club would be ready to re-engage if New Orleans makes a counter-offer.
- While Kyrie Irving‘s comments on his upcoming free agency last week had some league observers wondering if the Celtics would consider moving him at the trade deadline, the team – unsurprisingly – has no intention to do so, writes Steve Bulpett of The Boston Herald. “Boston’s not taking calls on Kyrie,” one general manager said. “That was made pretty clear.”
- The Grizzlies are believed to be seeking multiple first-round picks in any package for Mike Conley, tweets Marc Stein of The New York Times. According to Tony Jones of The Salt Lake Tribune, the Jazz’s final offer to Memphis was a first-round pick, a second-round pick, and expiring contracts (likely Ricky Rubio and Derrick Favors). The Grizzlies asked for Dante Exum, but were told no, per Jones (Twitter link via John Martin of 92.9 ESPN).
- A source tells Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times that the Bulls have received “a handful” of calls about Jabari Parker within the last week. Parker is a candidate to be traded, or to be bought out if Chicago can’t find a suitable deal.
- According to Keith Smith of Yahoo Sports (Twitter link), the Hawks have started to receive more calls on veteran trade candidates Kent Bazemore, Dewayne Dedmon, and Jeremy Lin. Smith adds (via Twitter) that Knicks forward Noah Vonleh is another trade candidate to watch, as he has generated multiple inquiries.
Over Under line on the years it takes Minn to return to the playoffs? 12.5?
Memphis must add picks for someone to take on Conley, are they totally insane!
When teams say, x is on the block, then ask so much for him, he was never really on the block, grammar fails, when I’m responding to @cesc, add commas & leave it.
I mean Conley is good but so is Favors.
Would be amazing if the Timberwolves could move Wiggins.
I know it’s a pipe dream, but it’s good to dream. That boy just seems to have no interest in being any better than he is right now.
Agreed. His numbers have basically been the same since his rookie year. Minnesota will be able to trace their woes for the next few years to the Wiggins contract extension unless he magically starts developing his game. He’ll be close to unmovable and the Wolves likely won’t get a player back of similar, or better, talent for him.
Memphis should get 1 asset for Gasol, and 2 for Conley, if they trade Conley, although I wouldnt necessarily do that unless it makes sense for them. They should definitely move Gasol though, and if they dont want to keep Jamychal Green, they should move him too, for an asset if they can