7 players Warriors might replace Andrew Wiggins with by trade deadline

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 13: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to a call behind Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Golden State Warriors during the first half in a preseason game at Crypto.com Arena on October 13, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. /

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Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves. Photo by David Berding/Getty Images /

5. Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves

Wait, would the Minnesota Timberwolves truly trade for Andrew Wiggins four years after shipping him off to Golden State? It seems far-fetched, and perhaps it is, but the trade actually makes a lot of sense for the Timberwolves.

They currently have over $80 million committed to three centers, and that number will jump north of $100 million next season. They have an elite defensive backbone, but the fit of Towns and Rudy Gobert isn’t working offensively and at some point, the Wolves will presumably look to move off of Towns. If they do, they should be looking for a 3-and-D forward with enough shot-creation chops to serve as the third option. Enter Andrew Wiggins.

For the Warriors the gamble is certainly a bigger one, but there is a path to consider. For all that Karl-Anthony Towns has been maligned for his playoff performances and bizarre braggadocious claims to the media, he is also one of the best offensive bigs in the league. He’s a career 39.3 percent 3-point shooter, can score at any level, and has underutilized passing skill that would thrive in the Warriors’ system.

Defensively he is certainly not the rim protector that Gobert is, but the Warriors are well-equipped to insulate him, certainly more than most teams, and to his credit Towns does play hard on that end. This would be a big gamble for the Warriors, but it’s at least an intriguing one.

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