MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 24: Gorgui Dieng #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Minnesota Timberwolves suddenly have a deep bench, and there is only one contract that sticks out like a sore thumb in terms of its size. Let’s talk about trading Gorgui Dieng.
The Minnesota Timberwolves are 3-1 since Jimmy Butler was shipped to Philadelphia, and while the team is still near the bottom of the standings, the future remains promising.
The Western Conference is wide-open so far this season with few truly dominant teams, and the Timberwolves might be 14th in the West but they are only 4.5 games back from the No. 1 seed.
Karl-Anthony Towns is back to playing at an elite level and has clearly improved on defense through the early stages of the season. Andrew Wiggins is finally playing like something loosely resembling a max player: driving to the basket, hitting 3-pointers, and playing decent defense. Maple Jordan is making highlight plays as well, which has to help out his confidence tremendously.
But for the Wolves to stay in the hunt for the playoffs, the team will need to make some small adjustments to the roster.
That’s where Gorgui Dieng comes in. Here are a few of the many reasons that the front office should consider moving Dieng.
- Dieng will make about $48.5 million over the next three seasons, and the Wolves could use that cap space.
- His playing style is not conducive to the pace this team should be playing at.
- Isn’t an ideal fit for minutes alongside Towns and only serves as his backup.
Dieng is a solid backup big man, but the time for a trade is now.
Many of the rumors surrounding the Jimmy Butler trade had Dieng attached to it, including this rumor from The Athletic.
“Whenever Butler is dealt, Minnesota is hell-bent on moving off the salary of Gorgui Dieng, league sources told The Athletic. A few weeks ago Houston called up to six teams, looking for a third partner to facilitate a deal in some fashion, league sources told The Athletic. However, nothing materialized and negotiations went back to square one… The whole premise of looking for outside help is moving Dieng’s contract, but Minnesota receiving a number of future firsts gives it the flexibility owner Glenn Taylor needs moving forward. Attaching a pick or two to Dieng’s salary makes it easier to move, and can also be utilized in future roster-building. However, Houston didn’t feel confident its reported offer would cause Minnesota to ease up its stance, league sources told The Athletic.”
Well, that didn’t happen, and the front office has to be working on a deal to move Dieng’s contract sooner rather than later.
Let’s take a look at three trades that would work for the Timberwolves this season. And perhaps more importantly, a move would help clear up some cap space for next summer’s free agency period.
