The Minnesota Timberwolves are doing great in the playoffs right now, leading 3-1 against the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round. However, while they are doing great now, by no means should they not consider how to get better this offseason.
Bleacher Report’s Andy Bailey proposed a trade that could simultaneously help them get better, and ease their financial burden. He proposed the T-Wolves should trade with the Brooklyn Nets to get Cameron Johnson, a stud 3 and D forward. The trade would look like this:
Timberwolves get: Cameron Johnson, Ziaire Williams
Nets get: Julius Randle, 2030 first-round pick swap
“Minnesota would miss Julius Randle's playmaking and passing, but Cameron Johnson can make up a little of that, and he's a significantly more reliable shooter,” Bailey wrote. “He's a solid positional defender who would work in the T-Wolves' scheme, too.”
While Johnson only averages 18.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.4 assists compared to Randle’s 18.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 4.7 assists, his contract is much better. Randle is making $33 million this year, and $30 million next year if he picks up his option. Johnson is only making $22 million this year, and for the next two years as well.
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Getting Johnson would free up $8 million in cap space, as well as give the T-Wolves another reliable shooter on the perimeter with Anthony Edwards. Being on a team with a ton of talent like Minnesota could also give him a chance to shine as defenders won’t be focusing him all the time.
If the T-Wolves don’t make it to the final dance in the NBA Finals, this trade could solve a lot of problems for them. All they have to do is dial Brooklyn’s number and get to talking as soon as the offseason starts.
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