In a massive trade between Chicago and Minnesota, the Wolves clear up cap space to attract a third star to get back into the mix out West.
The trade rumors between Golden State and Minnesota have been heard around the NBA world, as Minnesota is reportedly extremely interested in Warriors’ guard D’Angelo Russell. However, if Golden State is unwilling to accept whatever package Minnesota offers for him, the Wolves could look to free agency to find a star-caliber player.
Players such as DeMar Derozan, Mike Conley, Andre Drummond, Anthony Davis, Danilo Gallinari, and more could be very viable options for the Wolves if they strike out on Russell. However, the massive contracts of Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns make it very difficult to bring in big free agents.
Enter the Chicago Bulls, a team that is not necessarily interested in being a salary dump team, but for the right price may be interested. By unloading Gorgui Dieng‘s enormous deal, the Wolves would save upwards of $18 million in cap space for the 2020-2021 season, which would allow them to create a slot for a max contract with ease.
Additionally, the Wolves would receive Chandler Hutchison, a first round pick from 2018 who is playing solid basketball this season in a somewhat limited role. With two more years left on his rookie deal after this season, Hutchison could develop into a key rotational player for the Wolves behind Wiggins, Towns, and a third star.
Although Kris Dunn, Denzel Valentine, and Luke Kornet are in this deal more to make salaries work than anything else, these players provide the Wolves with solid young players to add to the rotation who can help make the sting of losing a first round pick less painful. Additionally, the contracts of Dunn and Valentine are set to expire this Summer, which leaves Minnesota with two options: to re-sign them or let them walk in free agency and use their cap space elsewhere. The three second round picks are also of value to Minnesota in that they can use them to trade for players to surround these hypothetical stars with.
As for the Bulls, the team would only have to retain the salary of Gorgui Dieng for one season, and this free agent class doesn’t have too many viable options for Chicago. Additionally, giving up two expiring deals for a lottery pick is something that the Bulls would jump on with no questions asked. Losing Hutchison is unfortunate, but moving him for a 2020 pick would be wiser in that Chicago could get a higher ceiling guy.