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MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES: TRADE GRADES

Trade Grades
Click here for link to Indiana Pacers Trade Grades

Pacers get: SF/SG Chase Budinger
Timberwolves get: SF/PF Damjan Rudez

Minnesota was smart to rid themselves of costly veterans like Budinger. As they have a young team and are looking to maximize cap space and flexibility, having veterans hinder the development of their prospects by eating up playing time is far from ideal. However, what they are supposed  to do is get more prospects and draft picks back in exchange, and that’s not what they did here. Rudez is already 29, and although he is a fantastic three-point shooter, he does little else and has less trade value than Budinger. The Timberwolves would have done better to net themselves something along the lines of a second-round draft pick in exchange, though this deal is not too disastrous.

Grade: C+

Trade Grades
Click here for link to Cleveland Cavaliers Trade Grades

Timberwolves get: Draft rights to PG Tyus Jones (#24 pick)
Cavaliers get: Draft rights to: SG Cedi Osman (#31) , PF/C Rakeem Christmas (#36)

This was a fair deal by the Timberwolves to bring in outstanding Duke point guard and Minnesota native, Tyus Jones. Normally, I’d say that giving away #’s 31 and 36 for 24 in the NBA Draft is getting burned, but Jones shouldn’t have been on the board by the time the Cavs were up, anyways, so this one is a pretty even swap. the only thing I don’t like here is that Minnesota really doesn’t need Jones -- they have plenty of depth at point guard already. But I’m convinced that they can make it work.

Jones has all the makings of a pure and true point guard. He has an elite basketball I.Q, knowing when to shoot and when to pass, and excelling at both. His passing vision is second to none, and he can score in any way: three-pointers, slashing, off the dribble, etc. The Duke standout is also very tough, not to mention his ability to make clutch shots. Though he lacks some physical tools that other prospects boast, nor does he have much quickness or speed, the reigning NCAA Tournament MVP can make an impact both immediately and has high upside long-term. PG/SG Zach LaVine will probably slide over to shooting guard more often in order to make room for the Minnesota native to back up star PG Ricky Rubio in what will now be a very crowded Timberwolves backcourt, and Jones will need to earn his playing time.

Osman is one of those guys that really can play three positions for you: PG, SG, and SF. He has great size at 6’6” for wherever he is in the lineup, and can distribute the basketball with the best of them. He’s also always playing 110% at all times with a high motor, and has a great feel for the game overall. However, the #1 pick of round 2 lacks a three-point shot, and also lacks physical tools such as strength and athleticism. He’s a solid player, but it’s not like the Timberwolves are kicking themselves for trading the pick that turned into Osman.

Christmas boasts elite length (7’3” wingspan) and athleticism, which help him in becoming an outstanding defender. He also puts his length and athleticism to use in rebounding, which he excels at as well. His offensive game, the jump-shot in particular, needs work, but he has steadily improved and features an incomplete yet rapidly growing post game. Christmas will also need to play with more effort on both ends of the court, and lacks some fundamentals as well. Above all, he’s 23 years old, making his upside and ability to develop that much smaller, as he’s a few years older than most other prospects. So for young, rebuilding team like the Timberwolves, missing out on a guy that has a capped upside isn’t a big deal, no matter how well he can contribute right away.

Though the fit of Jones in Minnesota's backcourt is questionable, the value certainly isn’t. Stars are generally born in the first round, not the second. And that’s the kind of potential the Timberwolves got in the deal, so much so that the value just simply outweighs the poor fit.

Grade: B+


Trade Grades

Timberwolves get: PF/C Kevin Garnett 
Nets get: PF/SF Thaddeus Young 

Sigh. As a rebuilding team, the Timberwolves had a real opportunity to get actual value for the veteran Young. Many teams were likely interested in the forward's services, and on a reasonable contract, it seemed very possible that Minnesota could've gotten at least a first-rounder to help their rebuild and add another piece to their youthful squad of players in their early twenties. Alas, that was not the case. Instead, President Flip Saunders brought in the fourth oldest player in the league in Garnett, who turns 39 in May. Granted, Garnett had a legendary career for Minnesota during his prime and could do wonders towards mentoring the younger guys, and this trade is likely more about nostalgia to the days when the Timberwolves were good than anything else. However, is having a mentor with no gas left in the tank who could retire after this season really worth passing on a first-rounder for a team that could really use some more of them? 

Grade: C- 



Trade Grades

Timberwolves get: PF Adreian Payne
Hawks get: 2017 first-round draft pick (lottery protected from 2017-2020; if not conveyed, turns into second-rounder)

 Great low-risk, high-reward move here by Flip Saunders. After creating an open roster spot with the Mo Williams trade, Saunders wasted little time filling it. Payne has had a disappointing rookie year, playing in just three games and averaging 1.7 points and 1.3 rebounds in just 6.3 minutes per game, which is probably why the Hawks were willing to deal him for such a low price. The 23 year old rookie has potential, as he was selected 15th overall this year by Atlanta for a reason. Averaging 16.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1 block per game in his senior year at Michigan State, Payne was one of the most talented players in the draft, not going higher due to his age. The pick means next to nothing for Minnesota, as it is far in the future where Minnesota will hopefully be a good team, and even if they’re not, they can still keep their pick if it’s in the lottery (teams with one of the 14 worst records) for the next three years, and then it becomes only a second rounder. For someone taken 15th overall, that’s a steal, no matter what kind of season the rookie is having.

Grade: A-
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