After the Dallas Mavericks fired general manager Nico Harrison earlier this week, Anthony Davis trade speculation began. The Minnesota Timberwolves have been floating around as a landing spot for Davis. Yahoo’s Kevin O’Connor recently wrote about eight trading ideas for Daviseven when it sent him to the Twin Cities.
It’s important to note that O’Connor noted that a third team would have to help facilitate this deal, meaning not all four players would end up in Dallas. However, the framework remains Davis in, Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, Rob Dillingham and Mike Conley out. O’Connor also noted that the Wolves are in his “Level 2” of mock trades, so while he suggested this trade, he acknowledges they aren’t exactly an ideal landing spot.
Listen, fake trades are hard, and Davis is still a great player when healthy. Nevertheless, I think Tim Connelly would take a page from Anthony Edwards’ book and simply say “hell nah” if this profession were presented to him. I also think this is exactly the reaction all Wolves fans had when they saw this trade.
Trading for Anthony Davis is not in the Timberwolves’ best interest
O’Connor’s main reason for the trade is that the Wolves have struggled defensively with Gobert off the floor. This is of course a real problem, as O’Connor noted. Minnesota has a defensive rating of 105.7 with Gobert and a defensive rating of 130.2 without Gobert. Either way, the Wolves’ real fault is ball handling and playmaking.
If they were to make this trade, they would lose three of their most reliable ballhandlers and their theoretical point guard of the future. That’s just nonsensical. Sure, the Timberwolves would have a top-three defense, but their offense would hurt them mightily.
Edwards is already receiving enormous pressure from the opposing defense. Now imagine taking away Randle, DiVincenzo, Conley and Dillingham. As great as Edwards is, that doesn’t put him in a position to succeed.
I mean, what would the starting lineup be? Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, Naz Reid, Davis and Gobert? Does Jaylen Clark deserve a starting spot? Suddenly, Bones Hyland becomes a crucial part of the rotation.
Look, I’m not against the Wolves making a trade if the right opportunity presents itself, but this isn’t the right move. Honestly, the move would be for a point guard, if anything. Davis is injury prone, and if this is the price, it should be an immediate no. Another risk with Davis is his average annual salary of $58.4 million. In the second apron era, having two players making over $50 million is tough.
At this point, any trade the Wolves make would have to exclude Randle or McDaniels. Randle is having a career season and has proven to be the perfect running mate alongside Edwards given his mix of creation and playmaking. Likewise, at 25 years old, McDaniels has reached a new level of offense. This trio is a championship-level core that the Wolves would be foolish to shake up at this point.
As the famous saying goes, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
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