The Minnesota Timberwolves are left scratching their heads after a second-round exit, and they could strike a deal with the San Antonio Spurs to try to get deeper in the playoffs next season.
The San Antonio Spurs bested the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second round of the Western Conference playoffs and will advance to the Conference Finals for the first time since 2017.
In the regular season, De'Aaron Fox was an All-Star and looked like the ideal running mate next to Victor Wembanyama. However, everyone knows that's temporary, as Dylan Harper is lying in wait.
In the postseason, Harper has taken quite a leap, and Fox has stepped back a bit. Fans have long known that Fox will eventually be traded to make room for Harper, although with Harper's rise, that could happen sooner than initially thought.
Fox just signed a four-year maximum contract extension, so his price tag will make any would-be suitors think twice. However, one desperate team might be willing to overpay for a proven point guard.
Timberwolves Should Be Interested In Fox
In the Conference Semifinals, there were times when Anthony Edwards looked alone. Julius Randle disappeared, Jaden McDaniels took a step back after a dominant first round, and Rudy Gobert is more of a one-way player.
On offense, the Wolves need to get Edwards some help. They've been linked--however far-fetched it may be--to Giannis Antetokounmpo, but more reasonable trade targets are Ja Morant and Kyrie Irving.
Both are proven players and should be available, although both have a long and recent injury history. If the Spurs decide to give Harper and Stephon Castle the keys to the offense sooner than initially projected, Fox's skill set fits in with the Wolves.
Imagine a Minnesota starting five of Fox, Edwards, Randle, McDaniels, and Gobert. On top of that, Donte DiVincenzo might be able to recover from his torn Achilles in time to give them a boost in the 2027 playoffs. That's certainly better than the roster they have now.
Plus, depending on how the Spurs approach free agency this summer, they might have the salary space to take back either McDaniels or Naz Reid, bolstering their depth and giving them a more well-rounded attack, while marginally improving their defense.
Do we know for sure that Fox is on the trade block? Nope. Do we know that he eventually will be? Yup, and when the Spurs are ready to make a move, and the Wolves still haven't gotten Edwards a star backcourt running mate, then maybe the next time San Antonio and Minnesota match up in the postseason, there could be a familiar face running point.