The Golden State Warriors are supposedly “monitoring” the situation with Karl-Anthony Towns in hopes of making a trade. The Phoenix Suns could offer way more.
It just takes a tweet. Real GM put it out there that the Golden State Warriors are “monitoring” the situation in Minnesota with Karl-Anthony Towns and potentially planning on teaming him up with his good friend D’Angelo Russell. Of course, Suns fans everywhere thought, “The Phoenix Suns should be monitoring this too! And way harder!”
According to Real GM via the Athletic:
"Towns is under contract until 23-24, but multiple executives at the G League Showcase relayed that he is unhappy. Towns signed his extension with the Wolves during the 2018 offseason."
The Suns also happen to have one of Karl-Anthony Towns’ best friends in Devin Booker, and as stated many times before, the Suns should stop at nothing to make that happen. Ideally, they could lure Russell too, but one step at a time.
While the headline will undoubtedly rattle NBA trade rumor cages, I can’t help but to think, “Wait, what do the Warriors have they could trade to the Timberwolves?”
Assuming Russell, Klay Thompson, and Stephen Curry are off the table, that only leaves Draymond Green as someone with the salary to make the trade work, who just signed a maximum 4-year $100 extension back in August.
After drafting him in 2012, Green has been a centerpiece around what has been essentially a dynasty. I would be surprised if the team felt great about trading him, but then again, you have to give up a lot to get a lot.
On the flip side, though, I’m not sure the Timberwolves would even want him. He’s 29 years old and declining statistically. He’s never been able to be the guy on a team, and serves best as an outstanding role player and facilitator.
The Wolves don’t have the pieces to make a player like Green shine. Obtaining Green doesn’t make a lot of sense, especially not at the expense of their franchise player.
In terms of picks, the Warriors already have their 2020 first round pick tied up with Brooklyn (albeit protected). Their 2024 first round pick has also already been shipped off, and the only second round picks they have left between now and 2026 is 2022 and 2025.
So, again, unless the Warriors are willing to split up the Splash Brothers, they don’t have at ton of quality trade assets.
The Phoenix Suns, on the other hand, do. And his name is Deandre Ayton.
Whatever trade bundle the Suns put together it would most certainly revolve around Deandre Ayton.
Big man for big man. Number overall one pick for number one overall pick.
We’ll put together another post soon laying out some the possibilities, and all of them will be better than what the Golden State Warriors can offer.
Also, can you just back off, Warriors? You don’t need every big name to ever play the game ever on your team year in and year out. Seriously. Go away. You’re too good as it is.