The Minnesota Timberwolves season is taking an ugly turn as they lost their fourth straight game last night against the Sacramento Kings within an overall run of just two wins in their last nine games. The team hasn't adjusted well to the blockbuster summer trade which saw franchise legend Karl-Anthony Towns move to the New York Knicks for Donte DiVincenzo and Julius Randle.
Amidst their 8-10 start to the season, the Brooklyn Nets have proven to be surprisingly competitive and have a better record than the Timberwolves right now. They're reportedly listening to offers on all the players on their roster as they intend to be in the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery. With every win new head coach Jordi Fernandez is earning, their tanking hopes are affected, which could lead to a major trade soon which sends point guard Dennis Schroder somewhere.
The Timberwolves could be the perfect destination for Schroder.
Trade Details
Minnesota Timberwolves Receive: Dennis Schroder, Jalen Wilson
Brooklyn Nets Receive: Donte DiVincenzo, Terrence Shannon Jr., 2025 Second-Round Pick (UTA), 2026 Second-Round Pick (UTA). 2029 Second-Round Pick (MIN)
The Timberwolves need a major guard addition to their roster to complement Anthony Edwards in the backcourt amidst the declining form of Mike Conley. Schroder is a veteran point guard and this deal would give the Timberwolves enough of a boost to return to Playoff contention after falling to the No. 12 seed.
The Timberwolves Need To Shake Their Roster Up
The Timberwolves have not looked good to start the season, with the team looking disorganized as a unit while relying on Anthony Edwards to put up massive numbers just to be competitive. This isn't sustainable for the franchise, especially after trading the perfect co-star to the Knicks over the summer. While it's given them additional salary flexibility, it's time they use that to push and make other additions.
Schroder is averaging 18.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 6.3 assists to start the season, playing at an All-Star level through the first month-and-a-half of the season. He's been a rotational player in the NBA for years but his unique skillset as a two-way guard with decent playmaking has allowed the Nets to look like a genuine Playoff threat. Acquiring a veteran head like Schroder would be a phenomenal addition for the Timberwolves lacking quality guard play.
Mike Conley did a terrific job of organizing the franchise last season, but the 37-year-old point guard looks to have slightly regressed this season. Phasing Conley to the bench and having Schroder start alongside Edwards would be a massive upgrade for the franchise at this point.
The Nets Can Start To Blow It Up
Trading Schroder will likely be the first domino in the eventual Nets blow-up that many are expecting at some point this season. New head coach Jordi Fernandez has this franchise competing at the highest level and it has to be recognized, but the team gave up assets to reacquire their first-round pick over the offseason. They can't let those assets go to waste for a non-lottery pick.
Donte DiVincenzo has had a rough start to life in Minnesota after joining the franchise over the summer. He's averaging 8.9 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 3.2 assists this season but showed his ability as an elite 3-and-D guard last season on the Knicks (40.7 3P% on 8.7 3PA). The Nets could easily flip Donte for additional assets if required, but he'd be a decent tank commander for half a season, and being back in New York could be a slight consolation for the guard traded away from the city in the summer.
Terrence Shannon Jr. is a 24-year-old rookie but he is a promising 3-and-D guard who the Nets will be able to give an opportunity to. Given the recent track record of older draft picks in the NBA, the Nets would see the value of seeing what Shannon Jr. can provide with an extended opportunity instead of being turned off by his age.
A Deal That The Wolves Need To Make
It's easy to focus on Towns' departure as the biggest difference between the Conference Finals Wolves from last season to this, but the regression of Conley is an under-discussed factor.
He was an expert point guard for the franchise, providing the perfect link-up play between the talented big-man duo and Edwards on the perimeter. He hasn't been that good this season and it's hard to imagine it will suddenly just change.
A trade for Schroder can revitalize the Wolves' offense while adding another feisty POA defender to the team's starting five. He would be an upgrade on Conley on both ends of the court and this is a deal the Wolves have to make. They can't afford to let upgrades slip through their fingers by squabbling on value or overthinking these decisions.
There aren't many options for the cap-strapped Timberwolves, and Schroder's $13 million expiring deal might be perfect for the franchise this season.
