Minnesota Timberwolves trying to trade for reserve big men
The Minnesota Timberwolves are trying to trade for reserve big men to back up starters Karl-Anthony Towns and Gorgui Dieng, per several reports.
The Timberwolves, a young team loaded with talent, started the season with high expectations and were expected to push for a playoff berth. However, they've lost 18 of their first 25 games and coach-cum-president Tom Thibodeau is reportedly frustrated with the situation and wants to make some changes to the roster.
Minnesota Timberwolves to be active on trades
According to ESPN's Brian Windhorst, the Timberwolves "are calling around looking to trade for frontcourt help" even though the team has a frontcourt rotation that includes Towns, Dieng, Cole Aldrich, Adreian Payne, Nemanja Bjelica, Jordan Hill and Shabazz Muhammad.
Aldrich, Bjelica and Hill signed with the Timberwolves during the offseason but haven't fit into Thibs' defensive schemes. Aldrich, who played a key role for the Los Angels Clippers during Blake Griffin’s injury last year, is averaging 3.0 points and 3.9 rebounds from just 13.2 minutes per game.
Bjelica, a second-year forward out of Washington State, has been Minnesota's best reserve big, averaging 6.7 points and 3.3 rebounds from 16. 4 minutes. Meanwhile, Jordan Hill, who signed a two-year, $US8 million ($AU10.7 million) contract this offseason, has got off the bench only thrice this season for his 2.0 points and 2.0 rebounds from 5.3 minutes per game. Clearly, the Hill signing hasn't worked out for Thibs & Co.
During his days in Chicago, Thibodeau always gave additional emphasis to his front court -- depending on players such as Joakim Noah, Taj Gibson, Carlos Boozer and Omer Asik for several years. Later, Thibs aggressively recruited Pau Gasol -- who spent two seasons with Chicago before bolting for San Antonio.
In recent weeks, there have been rumours that the Minnesota Timberwolves would pursue Los Angeles Lakers forward Luol Deng, who enjoyed great success playing under Tom Thibodeau in Chicago.
