NBA trade rumors: Timberwolves want Paul George or Jimmy Butler, per report

Paul George or Jimmy Butler might be headed north if Minnesota gets its wish. The Timberwolves are actively showing interest in trading for one of those two, according to The Vertical’s Adrian Wojnarowski, with both potentially on the move this summer.

The Timberwolves weren’t good last season, falling short of lofty expectations by winning just 31 games. But their core, led by 21-year-old Karl-Anthony Towns and 22-year-old Andrew Wiggins, is extremely promising.

Last year might have been a surprise for freshly hired Tom Thibodeau, who left Chicago to take over the budding Minnesota franchise. The Timberwolves were just young. They had bizarre third quarter struggles where they would consistently lose big leads and, consequently, games. Adding a veteran, but one still in their prime and as good as Butler or George, would likely jump-start the team into the playoffs. With Thibodeau also holding the president of basketball operations title in Minnesota, that appears to be exactly what’s happening.

Both George and Butler are perfect modern stars. They’re efficient scorers who can also play off the ball and they play excellent defense that has been rewarded by All-Defense team selections. Both would fit well into what the Timberwolves are building, namely because they would fit well anywhere.

It all depends on the price, of course. Towns and Wiggins are untouchable, but what if one of those teams would take Zach LaVine and the Timberwolves’ No. 7 pick? For Butler, it’s even someone that Thibodeau used to coach. He knows exactly what to expect.

First, with Paul George, there’s the concern that any trade would be a one-year rental and he’d immediately skip to the Lakers in 2018. It seems like a few teams might be able to sell George on a long-term future, but Minnesota seems like a less likely choice, just because of their location and because they aren’t even a playoff squad right now.

Second, it just doesn’t make any sense to rush this team. Towns and Wiggins are both younger than 23 and will be under team control for years to come. Especially in this current market — with the Warriors likely dominating the Western Conference for at least a few years — the Timberwolves would be best to take their time and let the team grow naturally without giving up assets to add a star who’s on a different timeline, albeit still young.

I’d say there’s a 2 of 10 chance that anything like this actually happens. There are too many challenges: having an offer that matches both sides, not being one-upped by someone else, and then actually pulling the trigger. But it’s out there and a possibility.