Best possible return for Karl Anthony-Towns?

[SUPERVILLAIN]

Everybody here is talking bullsh*t and overreacting after every game. It's madness really. I have been uninvolved in all those crazy talks though. But this time I would like to insert myself into the frenzy.

If the Timberwolves decide to move Karl Anthony-Towns, what's the best return they can realistically get? That player(s) better be a good fit with Anthony Edwards' playing style and timeline.

[Chuck Everett]

You forgot to add the following:

2024-25: 49.3 million
2025-26: 53.3 million
2026-27: 57.2 million
2027-28: 61.2 million (PO)

Not so easy to trade him and improve. Any team trading for him would probably have to see him as a missing piece. Him making all that money doesn't even help a tanking team unless he's out all year. So if they have to make a trade, it may end up being Rudy who moves on.

[Astaluego]

If I had to change someone it wouldn't be KAT... personally it would be Rudy... It is a double-edged sword, the great growth in the Wolves' regular season is largely attributed to Gobert and he deserves every DPOY he has earned... but it is exploitable in the Playoffs in modern basketball... yes I wouldn't make that much money, it would be another story...

[GSP]

You forgot to add the following:

2024-25: 49.3 million
2025-26: 53.3 million
2026-27: 57.2 million
2027-28: 61.2 million (PO)

Not so easy to trade him and improve. Any team trading for him would probably have to see him as a missing piece. Him making all that money doesn't even help a tanking team unless he's out all year. So if they have to make a trade, it may end up being Rudy who moves on.

Holy ****!!!! I didnt realize it was like that...........and that doesnt even factor in Rudys preposterous contract or Ants........Wolves might not have a better shot at a title than right now. We see it all the time teams seem like they have a core and future then it falls apart overnight

[TheFire]

Trae Young?

[atlantabbq99]

^ I was also going to say Trae

[FreeBird23]

[Wallace_Wallace]

It actually make sense

Assuming Conley is still playing the next couple years, Durant gets to play with a traditional point guard, a bonafide superstar and a stellar defensive team. If the Wolves want to go all in, they might want to do this before Gobert/Reid/NAW get their extensions after the end of next season.

On the other hand, KAT is a better fit with Phoenix alongside Booker. However, Beal is still untradeable, but at least their best two guys’ timeline matches.

[One Last Shot]

It actually make sense

Assuming Conley is still playing the next couple years, Durant gets to play with a traditional point guard, a bonafide superstar and a stellar defensive team. If the Wolves want to go all in, they might want to do this before Gobert/Reid/NAW get their extensions after the end of next season.

On the other hand, KAT is a better fit with Phoenix alongside Booker. However, Beal is still untradeable, but at least their best two guys’ timeline matches.

Wolves also swept his team this playoffs, seems about right that he wanted to be part of this team with his "if you cant beat them, join them" motto. Who knows, he might luck out with another ring or two with the Wolves while stealing Finals MVP from Edwards.

[Mallie]

It actually make sense

Assuming Conley is still playing the next couple years, Durant gets to play with a traditional point guard, a bonafide superstar and a stellar defensive team. If the Wolves want to go all in, they might want to do this before Gobert/Reid/NAW get their extensions after the end of next season.

On the other hand, KAT is a better fit with Phoenix alongside Booker. However, Beal is still untradeable, but at least their best two guys’ timeline matches.

And Book gets to play with his buddy!

On the real, tho - KAT's remaining salary aside - Suns would need to add picks/value if they're getting KAT for AD.

[BDM22]

KAT for KD really makes a ton of sense.

[Anderson Hunt]

Towns is the missing piece in Oklahoma City.

If they could flip Giddey, filler, and picks for KAT, that's an absolute home run for them.

The problem is Giddey. I don't think the Wolves would want him, so it'd have to be third team involved. They need a PG, but not one like Giddey, in my opinion, but I could be wrong

At the end of the day, the Wolves' only holes are their future at PG and somehow upgrading from KAT at PF, which is difficult because the perfect fit there is actually a dynamic jumpshooting four, and Towns is that.

McDaniel could conceivably slide over to PF as well if they replaced Towns with an established wing (ie. Paul George).

[MoneyTalks41890]

The unspoken piece is what happens with ownership and whether either ownership group is willing to pay any tax, much less significant tax. If they aren’t, Towns could be on the block.

I do not think Minny can trade Towns by himself and get better on the court. He’s a very good player but is overpaid by a good amount and even with the cap going up that contract is tough to fit on a team with other players that need to get paid.

A KD deal doesn’t fix the money issues.

[doogie_hauser]

Knicks have the cap space and assets to get a deal done..

Not sure if he is the type of personality Thibs likes though.

[dans1230]

KAT for KD really makes a ton of sense.

It actually does, if Durant is willing to play there. Minnesota wont get any better via the draft or free agency, its gonna be a big trade that does it. Something would have to be added to KAT to get it done, but its a move the Wolves should make.

[mhd]

Straight up for the 5th pick from Detroit? Detroit badly needs to start winning. Wolves get some luxury tax relief and a massive trade exception to improve the roster.

[Upperclass]

#2 pick for KAT.. Wolves draft Rissacher. But should also trade Gobert. He doesn't move well enough to defend in space

[Godymas]

Ship him to Brooklyn for Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson

why would Brooklyn do this? Because they need an actual scoring star, desperately and Cam Johnson is actually not playing to his contract value.

They can also turn Ben Simmons expiring into a guy like Zach LaVine. Retain Nic Claxton, Dorian Finney Smith, Schroder, Dinwiddie

Starting line-up

Schroder/Dinwiddie
LaVine
Dorian Finney Smith
KAT
Claxton

[Wallace_Wallace]

The unspoken piece is what happens with ownership and whether either ownership group is willing to pay any tax, much less significant tax. If they aren’t, Towns could be on the block.

I do not think Minny can trade Towns by himself and get better on the court. He’s a very good player but is overpaid by a good amount and even with the cap going up that contract is tough to fit on a team with other players that need to get paid.

A KD deal doesn’t fix the money issues.

Ownership would pay some seriously taxes after Gobert/Reid/NAW extensions (2025 free agents). Durant would sure up the Wolves chances in winning for the next two seasons, there would be one year where the all contracts overlap (2025-2026), after that, KD’s contract expires. Effectively, it would shut Wolves’ window to contend, but at least they have two year (2024-2026) where they can go all in.

[DrModesty]

The Magic make sense as a trading partner. They have picks, they have young players, and they have a strong need for spacing and offensive fire power.

Not sure on the exact package to send back to the T-Wolves. Maybe something like Wendell Carter Jr, Anthony Black, Cole Anthony, #18, 2025 DEN 1st? Very quarters for a dollar for the T-Wolves, however the monetary savings are vast and you get picks and cost controlled young players that fit the Edwards timeline.

I doubt Suggs or Wagner is on the table.