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NBA Cap Guru: Timberwolves Can’t Afford PG Help
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- NBA Cap Guru: Timberwolves Can’t Afford PG Help
Brad Rempel-Imagn Images Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
Since the beginning of the season it has looked like the Minnesota Timberwolves need point guard help. Chris Finch's rotation doesn't work smoothly with Donte DiVincenzo or Anthony Edwards being the dominant ball handler.
Tim Connelly has been sniffing around on the trade market now for weeks. The NBA's trade deadline is February 5th (2pm CT), and time is ticking to get a deal done. Unfortunately for Minnesota, their salary cap situation may be too difficult to overcome.
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MN Timberwolves up against salary cap
This season the Minnesota Timberwolves are no longer over the second apron, but taking on salary is a non-starter. Bobby Marks (ESPN) outlined just how difficult any move may wind up being.
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The Timberwolves are in a similar position as last season. They have escaped the purgatory of the second apron but still cannot receive more salary (other than a player on a veteran minimum) in a trade or send out a first-round pick. A trade to aggregate contracts could be difficult, considering the Timberwolves are $3.6 million below the second apron.
While finding a permanent solution at point guard has been a storyline all season (they rank eighth in offense), Minnesota is better off searching for an athletic wing to come off the bench, either in a trade or getting back a healthy Terrence Shannon Jr. Before injuring his foot in late December, Shannon was averaging 4.5 points and a career-low 39.5% from the field.
Point guard is where the need remains greatest, but it might be the path of most resistance when it comes to an addition. If DiVincenzo and Edwards can continue to man the spot, then acquiring help to space the floor makes sense.
Terrence Shannon Jr. was supposed to be part of the solution, and so too was Rob Dillingham . Unfortunately neither of them have worked out as planned, and Shannon Jr. is hurt .
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Right now the Minnesota Timberwolves are 28-19 . The win over Golden State ended a five-game losing streak and bumped them back up to 6th in the Western Conference. It's not time to panic, but this isn't a team that can be considered a legitimate championship contender as currently constructed.
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