The Atlanta Hawks and Minnesota Timberwolves each look like in for enormous 2025-26 seasons. Regardless of that, the 2 franchises face dramatically completely different realities.
The Timberwolves have made the Western Convention Finals in back-to-back seasons. Nonetheless, they could have hit a wall. Subsequently, they may use a serious commerce to get them over the hump and assist them contend.
In the meantime, the Hawks have executed a formidable job of enhancing their roster round celebrity Trae Younger. However, he can turn into an unrestricted free agent after subsequent season, including a layer of drama to subsequent yr.
In the event that they flounder, Younger may simply as simply decide to turn into a free agent and depart for nothing subsequent season. If Atlanta will get an inkling that he may be prepared to go away, they may store him forward of the February commerce deadline.
The Wolves could be a captivating touchdown spot for Younger, contemplating their want for a long-term start line guard. In spite of everything, Younger could be a large improve over Mike Conley, Donte DiVincenzo, and Rob Dillingham.
The Minnesota Timberwolves should commerce for Trae Younger
Younger may really find yourself being out there if he and the Hawks aren’t in a position to conform to a contract extension previous to subsequent season and even earlier than the commerce deadline.
Whereas he may technically signal an extension at any level subsequent season, him coming into the ultimate yr of his contract with out an extension in place is uncommon. Particularly for a participant of his caliber. That might current the Wolves with a possibility to pounce.
So far as potential commerce packages, the Wolves must get inventive in hopes of attractive the Hawks. The most probably commerce package deal, which could not be accomplished till December fifteenth, would come with All-Star Julius Randle, latest top-10 decide Rob Dillingham, a rotation participant in DiVincenzo, and a 2031 unprotected decide swap.
Would the Atlanta Hawks commerce Trae Younger to the Wolves?
Whether or not that might be sufficient to entice the Hawks is a query mark and would depend upon a number of components. The primary issue is whether or not the Hawks will reside as much as or exceed expectations. That they had a terrific summer season and will problem for a top-4 seed within the Jap Convention.
But when they’re as an alternative a play-in caliber crew, then that might be a purple flag about Younger’s future with the crew. Particularly if there isn’t any motion in the direction of an extension. Randle may be the most effective participant the Hawks can get in return for Younger, whose worth has been surprisingly low for a multi-time all-star.
However, they’ve Jalen Johnson at energy ahead, which could necessitate the necessity for a 3rd crew to get entangled. If and when Younger had been to turn into out there subsequent season.
If Younger turns into out there and falls throughout the Wolves’ worth vary, they need to make each effort to pair him with celebrity Anthony Edwards.
Good luck stopping these two from getting buckets within the common season and, extra importantly, the playoffs. That’s all the rationale the Wolves ought to must go all-in on Younger this season.
