Karl-Anthony Towns could pop up in trade rumors, but here’s why Wolves are likely to keep All-Star big man

Karl-Anthony Towns was just a significant part of perhaps the best season in Minnesota Timberwolves history. The Wolves reached the Western Conference finals for only the second time in team history. They beat the defending NBA champion Denver Nuggets, and Towns defended three-time MVP Nikola Jokic as they did it. Minnesota has had to trade its fair share of well-known veterans over the years. But now? Can Minnesota truly never have nice things?

Yet as Minnesota was knocked out of the playoffs in a five-game Western Conference finals loss to the Dallas Mavericks, Towns’ future was the immediate topic of speculation. After a strong series against Denver, his poor shooting and inability to stay out of foul trouble doomed him against Dallas. Now his future in Minnesota appears to be in doubt. So what’s going on here? Why would Minnesota trade an All-Star after such a strong season? And where could Towns end up if he does in fact leave Minnesota?

Why he’s in trade rumors

The Timberwolves already have roughly $193 million in salary committed for next season, above the projected second apron figure of $190 million. That does not include their first-round pick. It does not include new contracts for rotation reserves Kyle Anderson and Monte Morris. It does not account for filling out the roster even with minimum salaries. The Timberwolves are barreling toward a historic payroll. We don’t know who their owner is going to be moving forward, but neither bodes well for the team’s willingness to spend.

The Timberwolves could save money by trading someone else, but who would that be? Anthony Edwards is a non-starter. He’s the face and future of the franchise. Rudy Gobert is their defensive identity. Jaden McDaniels, Naz Reid and Mike Conley, while pricey, are underpaid relative to their value and are critical to the team’s performance on both ends. Towns, as a super-max big on a team that also employs a Defensive Player of the Year and Sixth Man of the Year at his position, is the simplest combination of expensive and replaceable.

He was also,…

Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/karl-anthony-towns-could-pop-up-in-trade-rumors-but-heres-why-wolves-are-likely-to-keep-all-star-big-man/

Author : Sam Quinn

Publish date : 2024-06-25 14:09:31

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